60" PC light, but does it have enough...

Well Ive been looking hard into lighting my new 100 gallon. I found a 260 watt pc light that is 60 inches long, but that is the same light used for the 48 inch tanks, just streached to fit the 60". I dont plan on going sps, but I do want to have softies, and some lps's. Will this be enought light to do any good?? The tank is only 16-17 inches tall after the sand bed, so the light will not have to go that far down. I quess I can just put the xenia, and other light loving guys closer to the light. With this light I would not have to get a cooler like with MH, or get a canopy to put the t-5's in. This 60" tank is harder to find lights for than I thought.

Michael

 

Well...I dont really think that 260w of pc will be good for much over a 100gal tank...i had that over my 55...and stuff didnt do so well. You should check out ReefGeek | Aquarium Supplies for Marine, Reef, and Saltwater Aquariums and their t-5 fixtures...no canopy needed. I have a 4-bulb over my 55 and sps grow great!

 

to bad they dont have a 60" bulb. I wounder if the 48" would work, just put everything in the middle. It would be like I have one big MH in the middle...

 

I wouldn't bother with the pc's. I am actually going to be replacing mine because they don't offer enough "light" for corals. I would look into t5's, vho's, or MH for the size of tank you have. do a google search for aquarium lighting, there has to be a 60" fixture for you, it's a common size.

 

Finally I found a place that makes a 60" t-5 light. It comes with 6 or 8 bulbs. I think 380 bucks is not to bad for a t-5 light, what do you guys think. The only bad thing I can think about is it doesnt have moon lights, but I can add them later. I never use the ones I have anyway, lol. Let me know what you think,

Michael

Aquauniverse.com - 60'' 6 X 80 T5 Lighting Unit

 

I am not sure about the reflector. look into that. take a look at Welcome - Aquarium supplies, Fish food, Saltwater aquarium fish and aquarium filters from JLAquatics.com they sell the tek lights size but they aren't on the web site, you need to email them. or try Ian at Reef Perfection both guys are amazing to deal with.