t5 for a 150gal long tank

i plan on getting a 150 gal tank. its 72L x 18W x 28D. I want to run t5 lighting but dont know what kind of fixtures are any good and if t5s would be ok to run with sps and Zoanthids.

 

ATI 8 or 10 bulb fixture..

 

sounds great manderson 21

SPS and Zoanthids are both fine under T5 lamps
in the case of SPS , they need more of them and to be closer to them than Zoanthids do
IME - Zoanthids are a tolerant and in some cases prefer lower lighting levels than SPS do

your going to struggle with 6ft long T5 tubes IME I tried and couldnt find anything from here.
The largest commonly available are 5ft long 80 watt tubes

You might be better going retrofit as if you make your own canopy, you can then stagger the 5ft tubes so you get more light spread
Zoanthids would be fine to the sides (where there would be maybe the last 6 inches of 3 tubes ) as would a number of other lower light demanding species

thus for the middle 5ft of your 6ft tank you could have 6 x 80watt T5 which if fitted with individual reflectors would be great for SPS in the top half of the tank
and OK for zoanthids or other species in the lower half


if you did not want to do retro fit - you could consider a 5ft canopy over your 6ft tank

Sunlight Supply Tek T5 High Output Aquarium Light Fixtures
it would mean the last 6 inches at either end had a shadow (degree of shadow depends on the height you mounted the lights at)

for 6ft long tanks 3 x MH lamps ( if you dont have a centre brace on the tank) would also give you plenty of light for the SPS corals (zoanthids can adapt and can be placed low anyway) with a couple of 80 watt 5 ft actinic lamps as supplement - that might be an alternative you could consider

Steve

 

Here's a 12 bulb x 36" t5 unit for 72" wide tank. you wont have any dark spots with this fixture, as its a direct fit. with 28" deep tank, after sandbed you'll probly be around 24" so t5 should be good. keep sps middle to upper part of tank.

72"; 468 watt, CD-32833
$583.99

Aquarium Lighting for Reef Systems: Current Nova Extreme Pro Saltwater T-5 Fixtures

I wish I had a 6' wide tank