Opinions, please.

[Siberman]

http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/prod...852f296dfcb8fa

I have a 77 gallon Oceanic (60" long x 24" high x 13" deep). I'm probably going to be staying with softies and LPS but I could add 2 of these units. Do y'all think one unit would be enough for rics, zoas, LPS and would 2 be ok for some SPS (maybe even a clam) ?

[finaddictfred]

I don't see any issues with that and you should even be able to keep SPS at the top portions of that tank. Nice looking unit by the way. I run 4 t5's and 2 pc's on my 90 and have a mix of softies and SPS. I'm in the midst of designing a 7 bulb hood for it. Good luck and hope that helps.
Fred

[cutietwo]

swa weet!

[Siberman]

Thanks, Fred. I've had this tank for 20 years and I'm having a beach of a time finding a fixture that's 13" wide. I don't really have anything against halides but it seems like they'd be overkill on such a skinny tank.

I knew I shoulda bought that 120.

[finaddictfred]

If you think you'd need more light you could always look for a twin bulb fixture to go with that 4 bulb unit. Thats a really bad size of tank to equip..thats one of the reasons I got rid of my 55. And I agree..you shoulda gotten the 120 heheh !!

[crvz]

The problem with that unit is that it's a lot of power with pretty terrible reflectors. In my opinion, instead of doing 2 of those, just get a 4 bulb unit (retrofit would be best) with nice Sunlight Supply or Icecap individual reflectors (which are under 3" each). That unit is just cramming more bulbs in, but as a result it's a very inefficient use of light. I know the tank is long, but you could use a 48" fixture on it.

[jenglish]

I would think of 48 in retrofits staggered to cover the edges with good reflectors.

[Siberman]

Originally Posted by crvz

The problem with that unit is that it's a lot of power with pretty terrible reflectors. In my opinion, instead of doing 2 of those, just get a 4 bulb unit (retrofit would be best) with nice Sunlight Supply or Icecap individual reflectors (which are under 3" each). That unit is just cramming more bulbs in, but as a result it's a very inefficient use of light. I know the tank is long, but you could use a 48" fixture on it.

Was wondering about the 48". I have an 8" wide center brace on this tank. Do you think it would be better to mount it over the center or maybe orient it to one side ? I could always keep all the higher light species on the one side then dedicate the other end to shrooms, etc. (and free up a lot of swimming space that way). Maybe have a "slanted" rock wall starting high on one end and low on the other ?

[Siberman]

Originally Posted by jenglish

I would think of 48 in retrofits staggered to cover the edges with good reflectors.

How many do you think I could add in the 13 " space ?

I wasn't really sold on T-5s until I made a trading trip this past month to Longview. Dude had an awesome 150-200 (?) gallon softy tank lit by 4 bulbs.