Split lighting

Kicking around this idea.. my tank is 72" long with a large center brace. What if I got two 36" fixtures? This would save me quite a bit of money and give me some different options as well. Anyone see any issues with this?

 

well if they are to close to the water there will be a gap in the middle

But if its a little higher up should spread out

what kind of lighting btw? t5 or mh or what?

 

Looking at MH if I go the 36" way... I can get 250w MH's two fixtures, supplemental, etc for the same price I would spend on a 6x80w t5 fixture 72". Still trying to get the best bang for the buck. Also, on a tight budget.. I could order one 36" fixture.. and one off a different paycheck.. instead of having to come up with one giant sum for the 72"

 

Something similar to this possibly. Not the best quality Im sure but sure is cheap:

36" Aquarium Metal Halide MH light 442W Reef Lunar SPS - eBay (item 290323085427 end time Jun-19-09 01:22:55 PDT)

 

Or this? I know some people have phobia of odyssea but.. they have upgraded some things.. its like the phobia of nems.

Odyssea Metal Halide System

 

Pros I see right off the bat is more flexibility if something happens to one lighting system I will have backup on the other side of the tank. My extremely tight budget will allow me to buy one out of a check and the other out of the next check. I will have halide lighting. Best of all, it will be cheaper. I could put one light slightly forward or behind the other depending on what my tank needs, which will spread the light better.

Cons... I will be using more plugins and more timers unless I can figure out something different.

 

Okay from my research.. this will actually work.. next question is 2 250W MH and 96w PC actinics... is that enough for a 72" tank?

I had one reply say that 250W MH is only good for 24"x24" square.. which I dont believe.

 

I actually have 2 36" light fixtures over my 135g tank...for a total of 4 250WMH and 8 T5HO over it. Really the gap in lighting actually is over the middle brace of the tank so it is not a problem..plus I have the lights mounted in the ceiling.

I am not sure what fixture you are looking at, but mine was DEFINATELY not cheaper buying 2... the 36" was like 750 a piece, and 72 inch was like 1300. (I am not sure the exact amt as I have had it over a year now) However it was worth it to have the extra MH in my opinion

 

So would two 250w be enough or should I try and spring the extra money for the 4?

 

that is actually what I have done. I have the lights coming on at different times so it mimics the sun coming up and moving.

you are right on the plugs....I have 4 double timers as there is 2 plugs for each MH (8 plugs) 2 plugs for the T5HO each on a timer. Plus I have LED lights on it that has 2 more plugs. The LED is not on a timer...just on all the time

You MUST have a chiller and be prepared for your electric bill to go up and you to get a suntan from all the lights. My dogs walk around with sunglasses now! :