Lighting a 65 gallon

[hydroman]

I'm working on putting together a new tank (36x18x24) and I've run against a small problem. I'm hoping to grow soft corals and LPS and I already have a VHO system (4 95w lamps) that I would like to use. Will I be able to grow lps towards the bottom of the tank or should I switch to a 18" deep tank? Unfortunately, moving to MH isn't feasible at the moment because the tank is already warm and I don't have the spare electricity to run a chiller.

[tims]

depending on the LPS , but i woudl have to say that you will want them in the middle to upper areas since the tank i so deep. the best way to check woudl be with a PAR meter. if you can later on add a MH that would be best for being so deep

[hydroman]

I had a thought last night and I was wondering if I would be better off if I switched over to T5 bulbs for lighting? I'm using an icecap ballast and it wouldn't be all that difficult to change to different bulbs and endcaps.

[tims]

it is possbile to switch over, but what sorta concerns me is the the depth of the tank.take a look at this dis. of the week we hada whiel back. it might shed a little more light for ya...hehe

[titanfan]

If you were to switch to T5 (which I likes) don't forget the most important part of them... the reflectors. Without them the VHO would probably put more light into the tank. I use icecaps SLR reflectors.

Also for a comparison. I have the same tank you have. I light it with 2 T5 blueplus bulbs on icecap 440 ballast. Main lighting is 2 175watt halide using icecap ballasts. I have icecap fans in my canopy to cool them. A few seios in the tank and 2 pumps in my sump. I also use a cheap walmart fan over my sump. My temp has topped out here in our 100 degree heat at 82 degrees.

[hydroman]

Thanks for the link to the discussion. It was an interesting read.

If I do go with T5, I'll probably get some icecap reflectors, or ones very close.

Thanks for the comments, it gives me plenty to think about.