Lighting Problems

[HARLEY]

Hello,

I am looking for some help with some really custom lighting. I am new to this aquarium hobby but have always been interested and have been doing some reseach into this hobby.

Here is the history of my project (quick version): Girlfriend seen a coffee table aquarium on TV (real basic one that would not work accordinally to my reasearch so far) and asked for me to build one for our entartainment room on the second floor. The only thing she wants is as much as a glass top as possible. Now I have lighting problems !!!!!

Design I thought of:

About a 4 foot (approx. 110 gal) octagon shape aquarium salt water and if possible reef, 18" - 24" deep with about a 16"X16" ceneter hole (dry) to house: water lines (filtration and everything else located in the basement) and lights. I was thinking about putting a MH very high up in the center dry area (cooled by fans) and let in shine out at 360 deg. with maybe some small T5 actinic bulds finf within the aquarium instead of ontop as traditional

I am a big DIY person and make most thinks custom and enjoy the challenge

Questions

-Is this possible to do?

-What choices do I have?

-Should I dumped her and forget about the project? HAHAHA!

Any imput would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thank you

Harley

[fish outa wata]

I think I got it but could you draw a pic? I think it would help

[HARLEY]

I think I got it but could you draw a pic? I think it would help

Thanks Fish Outa Wata for you reply. I have drawn up something quick, been playing around with the design for a pleasing and interesting shape of us and the fishes. I have been thinking still about the lights and maybe my limit will be T5's 24" placed vertically with the dry area. My biggest concern is what effect will the light be on the eyes when you look into the aquarium, since you will be looking through the water into the lights.

I know I am faced with limits on what I can put in due to the design. Maybe it could only be used as freshwater. Also I have come acroos a thread about coffe table aquariums and how they just do not work, but I am sure there is a way that I can get it to work. B.T.W. the budget for this is a min. a few thousand. Any ideas????

Thanks once again

Harley