Reef Lighting Advisement

Greetings to all,
Would like to get your opinions on the kind of reef lighting I would need for a 120 gallon tank, 4’ x 2’ x 2’. The reef tank inhabitants will be mainly Frogspawn, Torch, Hammer, Bubble coral and a couple of Anemones. My budget for lighting is set a $500.00, but not firm. The canopy for the tank is 8 inches in height. Any advise would be appreciated. Thank You.

 

I have an outer orbit system that I have been using on my tanks for about 2 1/2 years. Here is a direct link to the system I have. It works great and provides excellent lighting. It is also easy to clean as the bulb covers slide out. Sometimes I take it down to get the mineral deposits off the glass MH covers. The actinic covers are acrylic and like I said, they slide out.... the MH covers are attached though so require it to be taken down for cleaning about once every 3 months.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewi...gn=mdcsegooglebase2&utm_content=CU01071&tab=0

 

you are going to want to go with MH. since you have a slim canopy, you will have to either go retrofit or else a fixture.

 

I think 2x250w MH would be great for that tank. Or a 6x54w T5 fixture or retro fit kit. It's going to be hard to get a MH fixture with ballasts for $500 or under, so you may want to look at used fixtures if you want to go that way. Other wise, a retro fit kit is easily doable for that amount.

 

hmmm, 8x54 ice cap retro kit!http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_LET_Lighting .

comes with bulbs too!!

 

hmmm, 8x54 ice cap retro kit!http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_LET_Lighting .

comes with bulbs too!!

 

Hmmm. I was also contemplating, 6x54 watt T5 fixture or 8x54 watt T5 fixtures. Do any of you think 8x54 watt T5 is over kill for the selection of reef inhabitants that I want to keep?

 

8 would be good but you have to keep in mind that your will have to change the bulbs evert year and there about 20 bucks a bulb

 

A 6 bulb or 8 bulb T5HO would work fine. The 8 bulb would allow the addition of high light needing SPS and clams. Bulb costs are about the same per year for T5 or MH. You will be using more energy to operate the MH than the T5.

 

I will go with the 8 bulb, now I have to figure out what is a reliable brand.