[Chongpark27]

I am starting a reef tank, i have a 46bow and need a lighting system for it. What kind of light is the best and is affordable.

["DevIouS"]

Too many choices dude....

PC's, VHO's, T-5's, Metal Halides.....


It also will depends on what you'll be putting inside the tank & what is eye pleasing to you.

Click on the "search" function on this site. Many have commented on all the lighting I listed

	PC Power Compact Lighting, typically used in lower light aquariums supporting soft corals, LPS, and fish. Their low cost and cooler operating temperatures are an excellent choice for beginner aquariums and smaller tanks.

	VHO Very High Output Fluorescent Lighting - Fluorescent bulbs that run on special ballasts and have an output that is significantly higher than normal tubes. It is very possible to run an entire reef system on VHO lighting providing the proper number of bulbs and mixture of spectrums are chosen. For most hobbyists, these tubes are used in conjunction with Metal Halide lighting for simulating dawn and dusk. They often provide the "bluer" end of the light spectrum and thus a more aesthetically appealing display.

[steveo32]

IMO from what I heard t5's are very pleasing they can support both softy and sps and there still les than healides and you can change the look by choice of bulbs and placement but that's just me

	SPS Small Polyped Scleractinians - Sometimes known as Small Polyped Stony corals. These are hard corals that have extremely small polyps. They are typically on the difficult side and require Metal Halide lighting or dense Power Compact or T5 arrays. These corals are prized for their rareness and ability to be easily fragged into multiple colonies.

[House of Laughter]

I would do a single 250 pendant over that tank with a 14k bulbs for enough blue

House

[GQ22]

just go straight to halides like house just said. dont waste your time on lesser lighting. eventually you'll just want to upgrade halides anyway. Save some money and get the best first.

[Reefer420]

I'm doing a 250w 20k MH over my 37g cube at some point soon...

You should do fine w/ a fixture that is 250w 14k MH w/ Actinic VHO or T5 supplementation.

Depending on the length of the tank maybe 2X150 MH...

	MH Metal Halide Lighting, typically used for high intensity light demanding corals such as SPS. Bulbs come in varieties of spectrums (7k, 10k,20k), and intensity (175W, 250W, 400W).

	VHO Very High Output Fluorescent Lighting - Fluorescent bulbs that run on special ballasts and have an output that is significantly higher than normal tubes. It is very possible to run an entire reef system on VHO lighting providing the proper number of bulbs and mixture of spectrums are chosen. For most hobbyists, these tubes are used in conjunction with Metal Halide lighting for simulating dawn and dusk. They often provide the "bluer" end of the light spectrum and thus a more aesthetically appealing display.

["DevIouS"]

Easy to recommend MH's, but how about mentioning water temperature & heat concerns using MH's?

	MH Metal Halide Lighting, typically used for high intensity light demanding corals such as SPS. Bulbs come in varieties of spectrums (7k, 10k,20k), and intensity (175W, 250W, 400W).

[DRENALYN9]

I Think That You Should Get 4 36" T-5, But U Already New That

[Tonyscoots84]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaRealDvs1 Easy to recommend MH's, but how about mentioning water temperature & heat concerns using MH's?

nuttin 2 4" fans cant take care of....

	MH Metal Halide Lighting, typically used for high intensity light demanding corals such as SPS. Bulbs come in varieties of spectrums (7k, 10k,20k), and intensity (175W, 250W, 400W).

[steveo32]

yeah like phil sad all the plus the expense in running it and buying it. I my self am only going with halides b/c i have a bigger tank and there are no t5's my size so i have no choice lol