suggestions on lighting a 72x36x24 reef

[boozeman]

thank you all in advance,
to those more experienced than I (everyone), can you suggest how best to light this size reef?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Booze Alfredo is selling a 72" MH fixture for a song. PM see if he still has it.

 

[boozeman]

thanks chief...do you think it would cover the 36'' width?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

It should.

 

[herman]

There are very few fixtures that will sufficiently and efficiently cover such an area without making two rows of light. Bing that the height is 24" the minimum requirement for a reef would be 250Watts per fixture. For your tank i would recommend that you get three Lumenarc III fixtures in a DE configuration. Two of our sponsors carry these. One is reefexotics and the other is aquarium specialty. The fixture is made by Pacific garden Supply.

 

[boozeman]

I was thinking along those lines (especially with the cooling duct kit)...do you think I would have to supplement with t5 along the outer perimeters?

 

[Dace]

If the with is 36" i would go with the large lumenarcs 19"x19" withe the single end bulbs minimum 250's, if you can go with the 400" would be great if your tank is going to be mostly sps. you would get a larger area coverage with this reflector in my opinion and yes if you go 10k you would need vho or t5s suppliments.if the tank's 36" wide, you swtill have At least 16 t0 17" room for suppliment reflectors. the ice cap t5's take about 3" inches from each side. hope this helps

 

[cali_reef]

If the with is 36" i would go with the large lumenarcs 19"x19" withe the single end bulbs minimum 250's, if you can go with the 400" would be great if your tank is going to be mostly sps. you would get a larger area coverage with this reflector in my opinion and yes if you go 10k you would need vho or t5s suppliments.if the tank's 36" wide, you swtill have At least 16 t0 17" room for suppliment reflectors. the ice cap t5's take about 3" inches from each side. hope this helps

I second Daceman's recommendations.. I have a 36x36 tank covered by a single 250W SE in a Luminarc and two T5's on the sides of it.

 

[boozeman]

thanks everyone, I was looking to avoid the whole DIY thing...but looks like I will have to 'bite it'...the fixture I was considering was the sfiligoi infinity, but magnetic ballasts that aren't US made are a concern

 

[cali_reef]

thanks everyone, I was looking to avoid the whole DIY thing...but looks like I will have to 'bite it'...the fixture I was considering was the sfiligoi infinity, but magnetic ballasts that aren't US made are a concern

I am pretty sure you can rewire to run cheaper US ballasts with that light fixture, if you don't mind cutting into a high $$$ fixture .

 

[jackson6745]

Boozeman, check out Tony from Reef exotics. He run's 400w 10k Reeflux (not sure what ballast) with no supplemental lighting in full size Luminarc's on his 400gal. The color of his lighting is perfect IMO. Check it out.

 

[loismustdie]

10k baby, 10k! On luminarcs, of course. You'll want 3 for good measure. This will give you plenty of room for actinic supplements, if you'd like. Tony, as mentioned above, doesn't use actinics and his tank looks great.