In the market..need advice

[Samper]

I'm looking for the best possible lighting system for my 75 gallon. It will be setup at the end of summer when I return to school so I'm putting together what I need now. I have some cash and want to spend some of it on a very nice setup. I'm open to all suggestions as long as they're under 2 grand. This will be an sps dominate system. I'm looking to get the best balance for growth/color but also would like to incorporate some actinics er something for viewing pleasure along with a moonlight that can simulate the lunar cycle if that's even possible to find. I wanna do this right so please bring anything to my attention that I may not have thought of.

[Reefland]

Samper,

I can't help but to recommend the AB fixtures for a high-end all in one package. The AquaStarlight can be ordered with 2-250w DE bulbs and moonlight. I think the Spacelight would be nice with the 3-250w DE's using 2-10k's and a 20k in the center, of course you'd need to come up with something else for the moonlight.

[charlie]

If it's a 4' tank, I'd go with a pfo fixture. 2 mogul based bulbs and 2 vho's. I'd probably use 250w bulbs, color of your choice, and 2 vho actinics for dawn and daylite effect.
The 4' fixture is pretty reasonably priced for what you get. JMHO

[Samper]

I like the idea of the 3 halides over it but this being an aga it has a center brace that I'll have to deal with. I definately want DE bulbs and will most likely go with 14k's. The aquastarlight seems to be my best choice at the moment. Anyone else have any suggestions?

[kevinpo]

You will have to prevent the center brace from receiving too much light if you choose to go with 3 halides. IMO it is not required. 2 are plenty for a 75 gal. 250's are good but be sure to use a HQI ballast with either mogul or DE bulbs.

Regards,
Kevin

[zhenya]

Chuck,

As you know,I have a AGA 75g tank and I agree with Kevin totally that 2 250w bulbs would be plenty for a tank that is only 21" high. I run my bulbs perpendicular to the front glass with two 110w VHO's for dawn/dask effect.

[Samper]

Alright now on to the moonlight discussion. How close can we mimic a lunar cycle? Have any of you actually ever measured the PAR of the so called moonlights? How about you guys with Green Houses, have you measured the radiation if any that the moon throws our way? Are the LED's even appropriate for this cause they seem too bright? I've read somewhere that you can take a light dimmer switch and hook it up to the moonlights. All the way on is a full moon obviously but using the switch you would have to manually mess with it every night. I want automation as well as a good simulation of the light, even the movement if I can possibly figure out a way to do it..

[charlie]

I have heard of people putting their lites on a moving track. I think that maybe a digital timer with a bunch of settings would get you close to mimicking the lunar cycle.