I need help with lighting!!!

[laxplaya]

I plan on having a 3 foot 65 gallon tank with 90 lbs of live rock and plan on having some anemones/coral. I understand that they need A LOT of light but how much is A LOT??? I have asked in the past and have gotten (excuse my language) half-ass answers that don't give me much information. I am no millionaire so i want a low cost lamp and i don't want hanging lamps (i need the lamps to cover the top so my firefish gobies wont jump out). I thought of having a hanging light with a glass cover but I've been told that salt and other crud builds up on it and i have to clean it everyday (im not lazy it would just be plain annoying) so now i need a lamp that will cover the top. I know i am asking for a lot but all i need is...
-the type of lamp
-approximately how many watts
-and a company who makes them
i only care if it meets he specs i have stated.

 

[sign guy]

I guess I was one of those half ^&% answers but you never came back to the thread so lets start over with what type of coral are you looking for?

 

[rbaldino]

You're unlikely to find any light that will completely cover the tank, so if you're going to keep firefish you're going to need a cover of some type.
If you don't want to be limited by lighting, metal halide is the best way to go. I suggest finding a 3 foot long MH fixture in whatever your price range is.

 

[sign guy]

the coralife pro will cover the whole tank but its a little pricy and its MH

 

[rbaldino]

Originally Posted by sign guy
the coralife pro will cover the whole tank but its a little pricy and its MH
The 36" Coralife fixture is 15 inches wide. A 3' long, 65 gallon tank is probably wider than that. It would be an excellent fixture, though.

 

[jrthomas40]

i think either way you go you are going to have to use glass tops...they are not that bad to care for i only clean mine when i do my water changes...warm water and a dish sponge (new of course) works well and if it gets to tough soak it in vinegar...as for lights... a lot of people believe in the t-5's...metal halides and hqi are pricey so really you are just going to have to prepare your self to come off the cash if you want to keep those things you want....with that said i like the current sunpods or outer orbits with t-5 accents...both are decently priced for what they are

 

[joncat24]

You can use eggcrate to cover the top, instead of glass. Allows for better gas exchange and allows the light to penetrate.
If you dont want to be limited on what ype of corals, clams and such that you can keep, I would suggest a 36" fixture with 2 mh and power compact actincs or t5 actnincs.
I personally use an Odyssea fixture, they are the cheapest you will find and I think they are awesome. They got some bad reviews when the first units came out, but the newer versions are incredible for about half or less than a coralife or any other fixture......Just my .02