Lighting large tanks

[petrasb]

I have been buying overkill items for my current 175 bowfront such as MRC-4R skimmer, CR-6 Dual calcium reactor, MRC 80+ gal high flow reef sump, 75 gal refugium, and some large pumps. The current tank is 30" tall and my 3x250's and 4 PC's seem to do ok. This tank is 72" long.
If I go to a 36" deep tank will I have to go bigger than 250w mh's, like to 400's? I am considering these tanks from glass cages: 84x31x36 (420gal), 96x31x36 (460gal), 96x37x31 (460gal) or 96x37x36 (540gal).
I like the height & depth of these tanks. I am worried that the largest being 37 wide would require a lot more lighting? Would the 37" wide be ok with 3 x 400 mh's and some T5's?
I don't want to jump up to 1000's and I was told the soliris won't cover wide area's well?
Basically I want to know what it would take to light these big tanks? I feel the smallest one (84x31x36) would be ok with 3x400's, is my thinking right on this?

 

[xyzpdq0121]

Ya your thinking is pretty correct on this... You should be ok with the 400's You are going to need good reflectors and you will still have some low light areas of the tank, but I would either go with 3 400's or 4 250's...

 

[kwl1763]

For 36 I'd definitly go with 400s or it will require some careful planning and placements. SPS won't like being on the bottom with 250s for sure.

 

[oz]

I have a 155 bowfront so let me know if and when you want to get rid of your current lighting.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

I too suggest 400s. But, I dont suggest glass cages.

 

[skriz]

You will need good reflectors like the lumenmax or lumenarc; they are the only reflectors that will give you that spread (I have lumenmax on 36" wide).

I have ran both 250's and 400's. The 400's will give you the best punch. 250's are not bad with these reflectors, but you will have to get creative with placement.

 

[cameron]

Agreed with above. Reflectors are key to driving PAR down into the depths but a strong bulb is also important. 400w with good reflectors will get the job done no question.