My dilemma

So I get a bi-weekly fish allowance from my wife : Its around 100$, The only problem is if I don't spend it in time (I.E waiting for cycle, hoarding money) It gets used to take her out to a nice dinner

It not a bad deal, I either get $100 of fish stuff every other week or I get a nice meal.

Up to this point everything going good (if you don't count that whole problem with the brace breaking on my 55g). Well its payday and I have my brand spanking new Fraklin in my hand, so what do I spend it on? 140g Oceanic tank I found on Craigslist, I mean for $100 you would have to have some sort of will power not to buy it. So there goes the budget until the next pay day.

Well my dear friends that brings you up to speed, So I have a nice new tank, and due to last weeks sweet ebay buy I have 4 x (4)54WT5HO Ballasts coming to make a canopy.

Now that leads me to my first question:

Would it be better to go with Tek Reflectors and cheap bulbs or go with the UVL bulbs with the 180° internal reflector?

also do you think 16 x 54w T5 bulbs is overkill for a 140g?



I will post some more budgeting questions later the old ball and chain is calling

 

A better question might be: What bulbs do you need for the next 6 to 12 months? Since T5 bulbs should be replaced on this frequency. What is your plan for stocking the tank, what is the light requirement to support this plan, then just spend that much on the T5 bulbs and use the rest to proceed with your build plans. Good luck, and have fun.

And not ever under estimate the value of a good dinner with the wife followed by a quick stop at the LFS on the way home.... just to look, of course....

 

are the reflectors and bulbs one or the other? If that were the case, I would go with good bulbs,

 

i would by the good reflector, then not buy anything with your allowance tell you get some good bulbs.

if i understand the options right that is my choice. 16 bulbs is over kill
16x54=864
4x140=560
you only need 12 thats more then enough.

edit whats the depth on the 140. i believe t5's are only recommended to 21"(not sure on that figure), you may need halides

edit edit: if you need halides you may need a chiller lol

 

The Tank is 48 Long 24 deep and 28 tall.

Since the Brace broke on my 55 only have a couple fish in a 30g Fowlr. My plans are to use that tank as a sump when I get the 140g Cycled. I plan to build a Red Sea Biotope I have yet to do some serious leg work on the requirements of corals from that area since I just aquired a tank big enough for it.



I am a bit worried about the depth too how about going with 8 bulbs and building a spot in the middle for some MH when I need more light.

 

halides with actinic t5's sounds like a good plan