[sblittle21]

I have a 75 gallon tank. It's dimensions are 48*21*18. I am totally confused as to what I need for lighting. I am planning on starting out with soft corals. Could someone suggest what I will need to get started?
How much wattage do I need? what kind of lighting?

[RyanG]

For soft corals most flourscent lighting will work. Including PC, VHO.
Do you want an all in one unit or build one your own?

[sblittle21]

I would be open to building, if there was a significant cost benefit. I would rather be able to just buy something and go though.

[RyanG]

You can build your own and save about 30% compared to a fixture

[sblittle21]

That savings would be great. What I really need to know though is exactly what I need as far as lighting. Wattage and such. If I am going to use florecent lighting exactly what do I need for my tank? I can't get started unless I know I have what I need to sustain the corals.

[RyanG]

If you want to keep a wide variety of corals I suggest looking at T5 lighting setups. There expensive but will save you money in electricity costs in the future. You can keep a wide variety of corals with T5s.

A 6 lamp unit for a 48" tank is ideal. 8lamps is a TON of light.

[Buz]

Is an 8 lamp T5 unit too much light, or is there such a thing as too much light? :confused:

[volitan_fa]

There is such a thing as too much, but I don't think 8 bulbs is gonna give you too much. I would still go with 6 though. T5's, coupled with the right reflectors, put out a TON of light.

[Buz]

Thanks, I appreciate the info.

Buz

[King Nine]

Will the T5's support all coral?? I'm interested in stoney corals such as mantiporas. Will they work or I guess the better questions is what wont work?:confused:

[King Nine]

I found a used 48" light that houses two 150w MH and two 96w PC actinic bulbs. It would cost me 300 with shipping and it will go on a 75 gallon tank (48"). what do you think? Should I jump on it if it is in good working order?

[RyanG]

I like the sound of it, you have any pics?

[King Nine]

Here is the pic. I assume it is from a stock image and not the actual piece. I'm trying to get a picture of the actual one.

[renoreefer]

Hi, I also need help with lighting requirements for my 180gal. I want to have soft and hard corals ( sps ) such as acrapora and the likes. There are so many different types of light bulbs ( metal halide ) so my question is how much lighting 250 watt or 400 watt, 10,000 k or 14,000, 20,000 k,double ended bulbs, screw in type or LED ( solaris ) any advice is welcomed

thanks

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Have a look at these. i am going to get the 6 bulb unit that uses the new vho t 5. A 36 inch bulb is 60 instead of 39 watts.DIYReef

[Mattfish]

I'm in the same confused state ont his subject. My tank is 125 gal - 72 * 18. I can't seem to easily find 72" lights. Can I get 2 sets of 36" or does it not work that way?

I've also been told on a different thread here that T5's would be OK for hard and soft coral, but MH is, of course, best. I'll spend the additional for MH if that's what's best, but curious if T5's will work.

It seems that I'll be paying a premium for 72" bulbs, and I also worry if they're more susceptible to breaking?

And will they sit on top of the tank or do I have to suspend them? Suspension is a real pain for me, so sitting on top is preferred, as long as I can get into the tank easily....

Thanks!

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Aquactinics LLC | Marine Aquarium Lighting Specialists Here is an interesting t 5 fixture.Its 72 inch's but it uses 14 36 inch bulbs. You could get a bulk discount from the manufacturer lol

[Mattfish]

I spent more time than I planned today, web surfing for options. Unfortunately (!), I found a lot, which increases the research time....

Maybe they'd give me the discount by the inch instead of the by the bulb... more inches than bulbs. I'll hold my breath from now until that happens.

At least I've ruled out LED lighting. I'll replace the MH's with LED's when I hit the lottery....