65 Gal. Tall Lighting Question (reef)

[deeze]

I just bought a 65 gallon tall (36x18x24) acrylic tank and empty-hooded stand and I was wondering what kind of lighting system I should get? I've been looking around on ---- but I'm not sure how many watts I need or what type is best for a 24" deep aquarium. The stand came with no lighting system installed but it's a nice 18 inch tall hood that should hold just about anything. I want to create a reef type system with about 75 lbs of live rock and maybe some hardy anemones/inverts. Is there a gallon per watt rule of thumb or anything to go by?
Thanks in advance

 

[dacia]

At least 4-5 watts per gallon is good for a variety of corals. However, if you plan to keep SPS corals, clams, and anemones, then I would recommend 250W metal halide bulbs for your system.
I have a 24" deep 30 gallon tank with 130W of PC. My softies and LPS love it, but I don't think that I will be getting any anemones just yet.

 

[sergeant]

I agree with Dacia
Another option also could be VHO lights for softies. :happyfish

 

[deeze]

I see, would you say SPS corals are easier to keep than anemones? I figured the opposite would be true but that's only based on a guess... ha.
If I get the proper amount of metal halide which would be around 325 watts for a 65 gallon tank should I also get a Actinic light for the full spectrum as well? If so, how many watts for that?
Been a great help... thanks a million,

 

[ukcats]

I have a 65 gallon tank. I have softies and I have recently begun getting into lps corals. I have a 250 MH light (10k) and (2) 96 watt actinic. I have found that this is plenty of light for what I've done so far. I imagine I could easily have enough light for an anenome as well...if I wanted one. HTH.

 

[robchuck]

I had a 65g with those same dimensions up and running until a few months ago. The tank was lit with 2x175W MH and a 96W actinic PC bulb. That amount of light seemed to work well with the assortment of corals I kept in the tank.

 

[deeze]

I've been looking at this hood with 1 175 watt MH with Dual 95 Watt VHO. Do you think that would be enough? I figured one of the VHO's could be Full Spectrum and one a Actinic. Or would it be better to get 2 175 watt MH and use 2 actinic?