lighting question

[dartfrog]

Will be getting a new tank soon and need some advice for lighting. Tank is a 125 gal with dimensions of 72"x18"x22". There is one center brace so I'll need to light the both sides like two 36" tanks. I wanna go with metal halides and I'll be adding t5's to supplement, when money allows. The halide fixture i'm considering is this one:

http://www.marinedepot.com/Hamilton_HQI_Reefstar_Lighting_System_Double_Ended_Metal_Halide_Pendants-Hamilton-HT1411-FILTFIMHPDDE-vi.html">http://www.marinedepot.com/Hamilton_HQI_Reefstar_Lighting_System_Double_Ended_Metal_Halide_Pendants-Hamilton-HT1411-FILTFIMHPDDE-vi.html</a>

I'd like to try and make this tank mostly sps, clams, and a few softies here and there...i'll be transfering some livestock coming from a 54 corner with 250 watt metal halide.

My question is, would one fixture per side be enough or should I go with 2, for a total of 4, and should I get the 150 watt or 250 watt? The center brace prohibits me from using 3. I'd like to build a canopy no more than 18" tall so that will be the highest they could be above the tank...heat is a concern too but a chiller is not out of the question in needed...any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[weaglereefer]

IMO, 2 would not be able to cut it unless you used 400w bulbs and had then very high above the tank (I think some company makes 36" single bulb reflectors). However 4 250w bulbs in good reflectors would give you all the light you need.

 

[dartfrog]

ok thanks...i'll probably go with that. BTW...what was the "out of state club" you mentioned the other day?

 

[weaglereefer]

Haha, if you go up to the top of the page here, and look under "Community" it's in "Social Groups". Just one I created for all of us who don't live in GA. Seems to be growing at a member every other month or so.

 

[dartfrog]

ok i'll check it out...I may live in Ky, but i'll always be from Atlanta!