Bought my reef tank.... now what.

[stanlalee]

yep do it right the first time. I'll add icecap, coralvue and ARO to the list of name brands with decent product support and quality. any of the retro kits (if you have a canopy) will run from about $370 to $450 for two 250w MH and any quality 250w fixtures dont start any cheaper than $600 with bulbs.
T5's for what you need arent going to be much cheaper either. A 7 bulb aquactinics (one of the best brands that dont need importing to the USA) constellation 48" fixture cost $680 without bulbs and a 6 bulb solar flare start at $600 and up without bulbs. Even the TEK 8 bulb fixture is over $500 after they nickel and dime you with optional legs and splash sheild. Figure over $600 with bulbs. those are about your only choices for GOOD easily attainable 8 bulb T5 fixures (you'd need two giesemann 4bulb $$$). even 8 bulbs of retro kits will cost $600ish after bulbs.
there really is no cheap option to keep everything in a tank that deep and wide except used retro MHs (cheapo's should stick to small tanks). IF you have the wiring no how and dont mind an exposed ballast you can DIY for about $350 including bulbs but you will basically be starting with two of these (plus cheap batwing reflectors with mogul socket and your own wiring)

 

[meeks101]

For a tank that's deep ypu'll probably need good lights. Metal Halide lights is the best kind there is. Plus corals grow twice as fast with that type of lighting!!!

 

[one/eighth]

Anyone ever heard of Venture Lighting? Are they a decent brand? Also Ice Cap?

 

[wangotango]

Do you plan on having a canopy over the tank? If you are then you're going to want a retrofit. Look into the luminarc metal halide reflectors. As far as ballast to use; some of the most popular are Icecap and PFO. http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/ This site has a list of pretty much all ballast/bulb combos and how well they perform. Two 250w halides will work, whether you use DE or SE is up to you. You might also want some sort of actinic supplimentation for a dawn-to-dusk effect. A two bulb TEK T5 retrofit with two actinic bulbs would be plenty for that. You may or may not need a chiller. If you load the canopy up with fans and use your AC you might be able to get by.
If you went the T5 route then either the Aquactinics 48" Constellation or Solarflare would let you keep whatever you wanted. The PAR for the Solarflare is easily comparable to a decent 250w halide setup.
Your choice though, either the halides or the T5 will work.
-Justin

 

[robdog696]

I thought you said your lfs is going out of business and selling everything cheap? If they don't have mh/t5 light fixtures for sale I'm sure they at least have a fixture on a display tank they're not going to be using any more. You got an awesome deal on the tank, and I'm just saying that's where I would be looking for lighting. My lfs sold me a used 2x 250 watt retrofit kit off a 75 gallon tank for $200. I love it! I would also suggest mh for your tank, because it is so deep. T5s are better for creating less heat and using less energy. But MHs penetrate deeper.

 

[one/eighth]

I am getting 2 48" VHO acintic (sp?) from them. Its the retro with Ice Cap Ballast for $100. The owner of the store told me to go to the Hardware store around the corner and buy the MH ballast and wiring and everything. He says thats where he gets all his lights from. they have always lasted and worked real good for him. I have seen his tanks and they were always full of awesome corals. The Mhs he has on the tank I bought from him are from the hardware shop he told me to go to. I have to see what my g/f lets me buy =)