Another, is this light good question.

If you did 4 50" 80watters, I think it would be enough for your needs. If you really want a SPS dominant tank, I would do 6 50" 80 watters.

What I would do is use 2 four bulb 36" retros. That way you have 2 ballasts (2 power cords) so you can do the dust dawn effect. This will give you a full spread of light all over the tank. Allowing you to keep the most light demanding corals along with lower light corals. Thats just a lot of bulbs (8) to replace, still be cheaper than replacing 6 80watters because they always charge extra to ship them.

$170 36" 4 bulb T5 retro
36" 4 Lamp VHO Retrofit Kit (w/ ARO Model 4LX ballast) - 40-40006

 

this is the kit that I will be purchasing. 60" TEK 2 T5 Retro Kit 2 x 80W lamps by Sunlight Supply* - AquaCave $130 minus bulbs, but with the cost of bulbs its about the same price but 60".

 

Is 4 48" T5 HO bulbs enough? with sps closer to the top?

 

For such a deep tank you will want 6, or more, T5's with individual reflectors. I have 6 over my 24" deep tank and can keep anything in it. I have a Derasa clam on the sandbed, any higher demanding things, higher light clams, certain SPS need to be higher up.

 

thanks beaun.

Its so hard to make up my mind when there isnt really a straight answer.

I still dont know which one im going to go with. I dont want to get T5's then say sh*t, and have to switch to metal halides. or other way around