T5, but how much?

Matt has a point, but the 3 inches is a HUGE difference in lighting IMO. id stick with ur original plans and make it maybe 18 inches deep or 16 for the added depth!

 

Hmmm, I don't know, Oceanparadise. I still think he could go with 4 T5's even with a 55g tank and keep pretty much anything he wants. Just might have to put the SPS closer to the top rather than down near the sand. I kind of agree that the 55g is a better idea.

 

I personally think more width is almost priceless for aquascaping, if you can fit it I would do a standard 75 gallon personally. Either way a 4' tek fixture with good bulbs will keep most anything you want in the tank, you might want to go 6 bulb if you want to keep a ton of SPS but it doesn't sound like that's what you want so I think you're good personally with that 4 bulb fixture. I think you're on the right track just getting a good fixture right off the bat and saving yourself the hassle/money of upgrading in 6 months when you find some SPS you really want to keep etc.

Also, you can save some money I think by buying at ReefGeek since they have an option to get the bulbs with the fixture and you basically get a discount on the bulbs, about $50 for 4 bulbs instead of $80+ if you were to buy separately.
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...t_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_(Black)_by_Sunlight_Supply

A Tek fixture can pretty easily handle 21" of depth I think, it's pretty commonly used on 75's. Unless you want to keep SPS on your sandbed, but that makes it harder to keep a mixed reef because you may bleach out lower light corals that you want down there.

 

O i totally agree JJK, sorry if i came off saying the light could not handle sps in a 55, didnt mean to and im sorry!

what i ment was, yes a 55 would save a ton of money BUT i like the idea of the extra depth for aqua scaping and saying that in turn to me is worth the extra money.

Your totally correct a tek light could handle sps in a 55 with no problems sorry for any confusion!

 

For the price it will be to make or buy a custom the 55 is WAY more cost effective and the 3" will not be an issue, at least a major one...

Good call, a 4,5,6 lamp SLR fixture will suffice on a 75. As I also agree with the added width, its priceless esp when aquascaping is concerned. For the length and height 55 IME are too thin.
A 4 lamp would be perfect for your custom or a 55, heck if you had extra $$ to spend get a TX5. For a 75 for best coverage I would go with the TX5 or a 6 lamp Tek. If you are in the process and might take a while to get going, keep in mind that SLS will be unvieling the Active cooled Teks at MACNA(at least thats what Chris says...) this year so it might be advantagous to wait... or try to capture deals if wholesalers are blowing out the older Teks.
Ever think about making a retro? That is the way to go if you want to save money.

You do know there is a thread specificly for T5 questions, right?

 

Thanks for all the help guys.

NEXT: Is there anything like the VorTech MP series powerheads, but cheaper?

 

Nope... Not just like it, but similar... Tunze and Koralia have controllable prop pumps, Tunze being superior to the Koralia... The Tunze is also more $$ though...

 

There are a lot of things to consider here:
Is there going to be a canopy? If so then you need a retrofit kit. It's usually 47" long so it fits.
Take your sweet time in deciding which tank is right for you.
12" of width for a reef tank is a tough width and one you'll grow tired of quickly.
18" or 24" allows for better aquascaping. Think about the size of the rocks your going to use and how your going to set it up. Remember that corals grow and need room. I have a leather coral that is getting huge! Hammer corals grow big. Consider all of this before jumping into the fire. I started with a 36x18 65g tank in October of '08. I quickly ran out of space as my fish grew. In January I moved them into a 48x24 120g and quickly saw I had made another mistake so in March I moved everything into a 72x24 210g tank. I was insane to put it lightly so think before you leap. Corals and fish grow and grow and grow that's all they do. Good luck!