Help with Lighting

[eagleeye1]

I have a 60 gallon acrylic fish only marine tank (with live rock). The tank came with a hood with a single 36 inch, 30 watt fluorescent tube. In reading some aquarium books, they recommend 1-2 watts per gallon. Consequently, it appears that I am considerably UNDER-lighting this tank as it should be 60-120 watts based on the books I've read. As a relative neophyte to this hobby, does anyone have any recommendations for wattage and specific light systems for a tank of this size? Thanks.

 

[fishfreak1242]

Originally Posted by EagleEye1
http:///forum/post/2834834
I have a 60 gallon acrylic fish only marine tank (with live rock). The tank came with a hood with a single 36 inch, 30 watt fluorescent tube. In reading some aquarium books, they recommend 1-2 watts per gallon. Consequently, it appears that I am considerably UNDER-lighting this tank as it should be 60-120 watts based on the books I've read. As a relative neophyte to this hobby, does anyone have any recommendations for wattage and specific light systems for a tank of this size? Thanks.
First off, DO NOT listen to the watts per gallon rule. It will not work at all. Let me sum up why. Different types of fixtures will penetrate a certain amount of depth until it's power is useless. So let's just say that you have a 10 gal tank that is 7" deep, you wouldn't need very strong lights to penetrate the bottom of the tank. But now lets say that you have another 10 gal tank that is 40" deep. You will need much more powerful lights to penetrate the water and reach the bottom. There for the watts per gallon rule does not work. How deep is your tank? What do you want to keep?