Lighting for new 75GL 48" Tank

[ReefStar]

Hi...I have been out of reefing for a year and am now going to set up a 75gl tank, 4ft wide. I am looking for lighting advice. I am trying to decide between power compact, metal halides or a combo of both. My tank will probably be a mixture of soft corals and some SPS,etc. It seems in the past polyps did not do well under MH, or at least for me they did not. I was hoping to get some suggestions on the latest/greatest products available. i don't want a DYI, but rather a all in one hood with lights, ballasts included. the ballasts can be remote or internal to the fixture...

Thanks for any feedback/assistance!
ReefStar

 

[Anonymous]

IMO - I would use 2x250W HQI MH's and either PC or VHO Actinics. The 75G is a sweet tank.
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Scientology Forum

 

[ReefStar]

What about Button Polyps for example. Have other folks been able to get them to thrive under metal halide...I would like to have them for the purpose of growing up the glass in the back,etc, but it seems they don't like MH...or is it a different reason that I could not get them to thrive??

 

[Len]

Do you have a canopy, or are you looking for a pendant system?

 

[ReefStar]

I dont' have a hood. And I really don't want pendants. I was really looking towards a complete unit to sit on top of the tank like a Coralife Aqualight or similiar...

 

[Anonymous]

I use the Current USA Outer Orbit fixture on a 4 foot tank and really like it.
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_lig ... sp?CartId=

I didn't want a canopy or pendants either, and it has worked out great for me.
FWIW, its a mixed softie/SPS tank and my button polyps are thriving.

This is what the fixture looks like on the tank, its a 120 gal.

 

[Len]

The Aqualight is definitely a worthy contender to consider. There's also the Current USA Orbits. PFO and Hamilton make full MH/PC or VHO hoods too, but they are pretty big and chunky.

I recommend you get MH with actinic supplementation. Polyps should do just fine under MH (they've done fine in my tank and in many other MH-lit tanks). T5 and PC is okay too, but if you want SPS at all levels in your tank, I think MH is the way to go.