Is this lighting good enough?

I just custom made my 180 few days ago and it'll be arriving in 10 days.. the tank dimension is 5 x 2 x 2.5 . My lighting is DIY, with 2 x 250w BLV 20000k bulbs, and 2 x 54 w T5HO as actinics. is the brand BLV good and what's the diff between 20000k and 12000k?

Planning on mainly softies , LPS and anemones !;D

 

is my water depth of 2.5 feet considered deep? hmm but is 2 x 250 w not sufficient ? i'm not planning for any sps.. i heard 250w bulbs have wider spread than 150w bulb..is that true or is it just the reflectors?? : and has anyone heard of the brand BLV? it's made in germany

 

I would add a 3rd mh. I have a 180 but mines the normal length. But yes 30 inches is deep your probably going to want at least one more bulb. You can even get away with a 175 in the middle but either way id add a third mh!

 

hmm what has deepness gotta do with number of bulbs? i mean isn't the intensity gotta do with deepness? if it's deep.. the light will spread more and stuff

 

Not exactly. The deeper the tank, the further away the bottom of the tank is from the source of light. Remember that intensity of light decreases by the the distance from the light squared (sorry for the math/physics). So each additional inch of depth of the tank decreases the amount of light that gets to the bottom of the tank significantly. That's why we are all recommending you get more light for a deeper tank.

What you are planning will probably be ok for softies and LPS, but not for anemones. For the anemones you will want more light.

 

aah i see.. my LFS actually said either 3 x 150 w or 2 x 250 w . my LFS is usnig 3x 250w for an 8 feeter, so that'll be too little too? but for anemones.. if i scape my rock higher, can't they climb higher for the light they need? anyway my return pump will be 5000 litre per hour, i'll be adding another koralia 4 for circulation, would that be enough? ;D

 

I would DEFINATELY not do 150s on a 2.5' tank, you will want 250's for sure. If you really want great penetration go with 400wers. As far as 3 lamps I would say no... With a 5'er you have the luxury of EASILY using 2 reflectors. Heck, I have seen 6'ers with 2 LB or LM reflectors and have great coverage as those reflectors are SO big. Also why not use 5' T5's?
I want you to look at the links below of the said reflecors, you get two of either of them and you will be set. If you don't believe me do me another favor, the Ex VP of our local club just won TOTM on RC.... tank is unrivaled, it is similar dimesions as yours and he now has only 2 400w'ers on there... I suggest looking at it, drooling then coming back here! Good luck!

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i was actually considering between 8 x 80 w t5s and 2x 250w, but i'm afriad the penetration of the T5 would not be enough for my tank depth( i also dig the shimmering effect of MHs! ).. the price is almost the same, i'll attach a picture of the T5 =D
for the reflectors.. i'll ask my LFS what reflectors i'm using first. Do you know if the brand BLV is good?

 

Never heard of BLV here in the STATES... I can tell you from experience though that the 8x80w T5 with good SLRs will do the trick... If you can get ahold of Ice Cap ballasts or Coralvue VHO ballasts all the better.