lighting for a reef tank

[patrickfox4@msn]

what kind of lighting do i need for a reef tank of 120 gallon will have all live from the sand to the rocks and such thanks

 

[aileena]

For that size reef tank you would definetly need metal halides...I would get 2 250 watters with 10k bulbs....there are all kinds of options with metal halides...once you get them you will probably want to get actinic lighting as well...your best bet is to get the icecap 660 ballast with 2 actinic bulbs...some people will suggest the dual 400 watt metal halides....its up to you, personally I am a little scared when it comes to that much lighting...but then again you have a huge tank too...I have 440 watts of vho over my 60g and I think thats a lot...with the dual 400watt halides and the actinics you could keep anything including clams and sps...
You would need around 200lbs of sand to get a 3" inch bed I think...and I would put in around 100lbs of LR if I were you...
good luck

 

[dburr]

I agree with the 250's if you want a reef. SPS and clams included. If you want ONLY SPS and clams go with 400 watters.
I have 2- 175's MH and I keep softies and SPS. The SPS are at the top of the tank. I made upgrade sometime or maybe not. I like the way my tank is setup right now with softies near the bottom.
HTH, Dan

 

[wyldgunz]

Its recomended to have 3-5 watts per gallon of water. its up to you really halides work great and compacts work well depending on volume of tank .

 

[bang guy]

What are the dimensions of the tank? I'm thinking three 250 Watt HID bulbs and possibly some VHO supplementation (for looks).

 

[dburr]

The standard size for a 120 is 48"x 24" x 24".
I think that is what were talking about.