Suggestions for Lighting

[Nemo Keeper]

I just aquired a 72", 180 gal tank. I want to make sure I get all the equipment before upgrading from my 75gal. Which kind of lights does anyone recommend for that sizer tank. i am planning on making it a reef tank BTW

[reeferbill]

Hi Nemo Keeper; I would look into the new LED Lighting , They have some pendants that are good for SPS corals and clams. You could start out with 1 or 2 pendants plus your old light until the prices come down enough to get 2 or 3 more. Happy Reefing!!!!

[Nemo Keeper]

Thanks. Any links to view that you can recommend?

[Original Fin]

Some options listed below with pros and cons. I did not include power compact, VHO, or older diameter flourescents as T5 has quickly become the king of the hill in terms of energy efficiency, PAR performance and cost.

Metal Halide
Great shimmer effect
Tried and true best PAR performance at depths greater than 24"
Probably lowest up front cost on a 6' tank
Modular. Can be used on longer/shorter tanks down the road.
Easy to integrate with a tall hood.
Highest cost of ownership, bulb/ballast replacements, energy to operate
High Heat, fans/chillers may be needed
Non-Dimmable. Dusk/dawn simulation would require supplemental actinincs.
Mounts high over tank..takes up some real estate

T5HO Flourescent
Good Par performance at less than 24" depth
Significantly more energy efficient than MH
Not a lot of fixtures to choose from for a 72" tank
Some fixtures have built in LED moonlights.
Mounts closer to the water than MH
"Retrofit" kits available for a DIY hood approach.
Higher up front cost than MH on a tank of this size (6-8 bulb fixture)
Moderate cost of ownership bulb/ballast replacements, energy to operate
Will create some heat. Look for a fixture with built in fans
Non-dimmable, but does have the ability to simulate dusk/dawn.
Fixed length...wouldn't be able to to use on a longer/shorter tank
No shimmer effect

MH/Flourescent Hybrids
Able to simulate dusk/dawn
Shimmer effect
Usually lower wattage on the MH's, so not deep penetrators.
High up front cost & cost of ownership
Significant heat source
Fixed length...wouldn't be able to to use on a longer/shorter tank

LED
Lowest cost of ownwership. Most energy efficient, and longest lasting bulbs.
Good Par peformance, even at depth.
Modular design. Can fit on longer/shorter tanksdown the road.
Not a significant heat source for the tank
Many fixtures are multi-channel dimmable, allowing for complex lighting simulations
Focussed beam patterns. Glass/acrylic seems to "dissapear"
Shimmer effect
Lot's of DIY info out there if you want to build your own from scratch
More difficult than MH & flourescent to capture accurate colors in photography.
New technology. Not battle tested.
Highest up front cost

[Nemo Keeper]

Thanks. Original fin. That was very informative. Taking into consideration everything that you said I think t5s are the way I'll go. being that my tank is 22 inches tall I think would do just fine. Leds are nice but would cost over $3000. Thanks again for the info

[Original Fin]

You bet.

That's probably what I would do to. I'd love LED's, but they are still too pricey for me.