Lighting a tank

[saltyvixen]

OK, might be getting a 65 gallon tank. I was think metal halide but I don't know much about them plus there won't be a canopy to hide them in. I know there are pendants too though. What watts would I need and how many. Whay fixture etc. Or should I get a t5 and get a 6 bulb or 4 bulb. What color combo. 36"wide 24" depth.I'm totally lost on this . Leds ? Lol.

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[brandonmason]

If you go with halides 1 250 watt SE radium with a nice reflector should do the trick. Here's the thing... most that run mh use some form of supplements via t5, led, or even T12. It all boils down to A. what you will be keeping and B. personal preference. In this hobby lighting options are endless.

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[saltyvixen]

Thank you, Yea I don't plan on keeping sps, but I want the option there. Lol

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[hiimsean]

24" you need 6 bulbs.

 

[xyzpdq0121]

I would use 6 T5 over 1 Halide... Better coverage IMHO... It is what I use on my 60gal 36" tank and can grow sps alright. But in my opinion, Sps should be something that you work up to starting with soft corals and LPS. Just my opinion though.

 

[saltyvixen]

Xyzpdq0121;939118 wrote: I would use 6 T5 over 1 Halide... Better coverage IMHO... It is what I use on my 60gal 36" tank and can grow sps alright. But in my opinion, Sps should be something that you work up to starting with soft corals and LPS. Just my opinion though.

I didn't just start this hobby ya know lol.
I got bout a good year in. Now have I have nothing on some of you guys but I'm not a total noob
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[jennm]

Our 65 that we had at the shop, had a 4-lamp T5HO. We grew nice SPS in the top section. Acropora millepora and Seriatopora (Green Bird's nest). If you plan to do mostly LPS and/or soft corals, a 4 lamp will suffice. If you want to do a lot of SPS then a 6 lamp will be a better bet.

If you're doing metal halide, you'll want 2 lamps. A single over the middle will end up casting a shadow as the center brace blocks the light in the middle.

Jenn