72 Bow Front Reef Lighting inquiry

[art]

Anyone,
I want to start a reef tank with a 72 Gallon Bow front. I wanted to stay away from Metal Halide because of heat and wanted to know if anyone had a suggestion as to what lighting would be a good fit. I'm trying to keep this as cost friendly as possible, but want enough versitility to maintain softies and limited stony corals. (Zoa's, Leathers, Mushrooms, Brains, possibly Elegance, etc.) Any links or advice would be appreciated.

Thaks a bunch.

ART

[Fat Tony]

6 light T5HO setup...
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...unlight_Supply

or you can go the cheaper route like i did and buy an ebay fixture, but they aren't UL rated from what i understand. It seems to work for me though.. and i have replacement ballasts for when they go out.

[ckusnierek]

WELCOME TO TRT

Try researching T5 lighting It's comperable to halide there are pros and con to all lighting setups. reasearch is always the best place to start.

Also to consider... do you want a canopy? that will determin if you will nedd a fixture or a retro
HTH. Good luck and do keep us posted!

[art]

That was quick!!!! Thanks, I have gotten another post that says to look at T5's as well. I'd like to "Do it right" from the beginning so I don't mind spending a little extra if it'll make the difference.

tHANKS AGAIN!

Originally Posted by Fat Tony

6 light T5HO setup...
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...unlight_Supply

or you can go the cheaper route like i did and buy an ebay fixture, but they aren't UL rated from what i understand. It seems to work for me though.. and i have replacement ballasts for when they go out.

[art]

Thanks Chris... will do! Hey, while I'm at it. Any suggestions on a skimmer? Looking to do one insine the sump. My buddy suggested Euro reef skimmers. Any thoughts?

QUOTE=ckusnierek;1155410]WELCOME TO TRT

Try researching T5 lighting It's comperable to halide there are pros and con to all lighting setups. reasearch is always the best place to start.

Also to consider... do you want a canopy? that will determin if you will nedd a fixture or a retro
HTH. Good luck and do keep us posted![/quote]

[Tim224DT]

Great tank choice!! I also have a 72 gallon bow front reef tank. I have 4 VHO bulbs on it right now but i plan to switch to a 4 bulb T5 setup within the next year similar to this one.
http://www.reefgeek.com/product/48_i...ulbs_by_IceCap

With having a custom built canopy i am able to do the retro kit easily. But for lighing i would say T5 all the way!



Tim

[Tim224DT]

As for skimmers i run a ASM G3 on my tank which is just a knock off from the Euro Reef Skimmer.



Tim

[AdamG]

FIRST LET ME WELCOME YOU TO THE REEF TANK!!
WELCOME!!!!
Here is a great site to look at lighting I have been given this site form many people on here and they alow you to customize your lighting.
here is the link: http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=560

[AdamG]

ART the ASM that Tim recommended would work!

[ckusnierek]

Art just make sure whatever T5 setup you get it has indivudal reflectors. The reflector are SOOO important! Thats basically the difference between a "good" setup and a "not so good" setup along with the ballast also look a aquacave.com. If you have a canopy and can go with retros that will save you a few bucks.

[art]

Thanks everyone... this is extremely helpful!

[art]

Alright, last set of questions for tonight. I can only find one brand of T5's with individual reflectors thus far and another brand with Lunar lighting. Which is the better trade off? How important is Lunar lighting if at all? Does anyone have any brands of lighting that seem to work best or ones I should stay away from?

Thanks again. Many more questions to come, no doubt.

[ckusnierek]

From the sounds of it your looking for a fixture.
Personally I don't have any lunar lights.
I would say reflectors trump lunar lights IMO.

[art]

yeah. I need a fixture. I don't have an existing hood. How about this as a thought. It sounds like I would only need a 4 bulb T5 system... I think? What if I went with the 6 bulb system w/ lunar lights. the additional 2 bulbs making up for the individual reflectors? I'll do more research on the lunar lights, but its a thought.