Lighting for a 300

Hello, I am in the process of upgrading to a 300 gallon tank. 96 X 24 X 31 tall. I have had a reef now for 3 years. this upgeade is going to be a FOWLR. I may in the future add some corals.

I am in the light ordering stage. I either want T5's or MH.

If i go with T5's how many would i need to support my size tank and be able to possibly add corals.

If i go MH how many and what wattage for 31 inches deep. Im sold on 20K's.

let me know what you think.

Thanks, pjracer

 

Tuff One

T5s would work well for a FOWLR and you don't need MHs for a fish tank except if you start adding corals 30" deep. As you are finding out it's not cheap building a 300 gallon system but if i was you i would set it up as if corals were going to be added.
250 watt MH + T5 combo with moon lights, this way you can just run T5s untill more lighting is needed. A 300 gallon tank has alot of room so i am guessing, being that you already have a reef you will add corals:

 

I have seen my LFS doing good with just running MH 20k's. I think thats the direction im going.

Why not 400W? Its a 8 ft Aquarium. Would 3 be better or 4. 1 every 2 ft.

 

For coral in the future with the ability to keep any coral you want you will need 12 4' bulbs, 6 on each side for the T5HO. You will need 4 400W MH to reach the bottom of your tank. For FOWLR you only need 2 T5 bulbs.

 

thats an expensive build for corals might i recommend maybe only putting corals in the center so do 2x 400w MH in the center and 2x150w or 200w MHs on the ends to save some money?

...that way you could do sps and harder sps in the center and softies/easy lps on the edges

 

4 Lights

I agree you will need (4) MHs for 8' tank and as you can see members offer many choices. I have (2) 250 watt 20K LumenMax Elite one on each end of my system and (2) 120 watt ApolloReef 12K LEDs on middle two foot sections. I can grow anything i wish from top to bottom MHs 12" off surface with LEDs 8" off surface.


Good Luck!!