[jckjohn]

Does anyone know where I could find lighting for a 265 gallon reef aquarium.

85x24x30.

I would like to have around 5 watts per gallon.

[BubbaWPB]

I looked for something ready-to-go... retrofit and lighting fixtures... I'm doing custom job on my 265... 3 Hamilton Reefstar 400W MH's, 2 X 160W VHO actincs, plus some moon lights. I think it comes to about 5¼ watts per gallon

[jckjohn]

found the hamilton's nice... I will go with three as well.

talked to foster's and smith and they said this was all I needed. I don't need the actincs or moon lights. Is this the case I don't want hard coral's can I get by with moderate lighting with the 3 hamilton's 4.5283 watts per gallon.

[Reefland]

Watts per gallon don't mean squat. 10-40w normal output bulbs do not produce the light as 1-400w halide even though there are the same amount of watts.

Anyhow, the use of actinic is really up to you. I don't use them, although sometime wish I did. The actinic lighting is mostly to offset the lighting appearance to the blue side. I think running 10k bulbs with some actinic is a good combo, from a visual standpoint.

[jckjohn]

Reefland do you know if they make a fixture like the Hamilton's where I could hang it in between the 400 watts. The moon lighting or actinic lighting for nighttime viewing.

[Reefland]

Sure: http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/sh...164901&cat=58&

[jckjohn]

MINI 26W COMPACT FL 2-13W

this one looks cool and I can put it in between my 400 watt hqi fixture. I am considering the 400 watt HQI 14,000 K. I will consider 2 so I will have a total of 5 HQI fixtures hanging above set on timers and surge protected.

[Reefland]

How would youconfigure the 5? 3 in back and 2 in front staggered? Sounds like to do this you will need individual pendents.

[jckjohn]

Reefland I will go with the 3 individual pendant's each 400 watt HQI. So I will have either a line of 5 or staggered 3 and 2. This will all transpire over the next year or so.