Lighting Suggestions ?

[wolffam]

Looking for suggestions on a basic light setup for my 135 gallon reef tank. I want to keep various corals (I know this is general), but I have been guided in the wrong direction based on what I'm seeing on this board. Currently have only flourescents (2 - 03 Actinic, 2 - Triclormatic, & 2 - 50/50 lamps.) Rough calculations put this at 1.7 WPG. I know this is too low for the lighting. Please state your opinions.

 

[scy]

Hi Wolffam,You could go with mushrooms,button polyps,star polyps,some finger or tree corals,colt coral,i would stay away from carnation corals.you could put leather corals(toadstools)button corals thats just some of the lower light corals

 

[tnreef]

On a larger tank the only way to go is MH with actinic support. IMO
I would look at 3 250W MH and maybe PC or VHO support.
HTH IMO Darryl

 

[up north hermit]

I agree with TNReef, Metal Halide with VHO support. IMHO VHO has much better color than PC.
Whatever you do, do not try to cut corners or economize in this department. If your goal is a reef tank of that size, get the best lighting system . It will be the single most important investment you'll make for your tank.
My .02
Hermit

 

[burnnspy]

I recommend 3-250watt MH 12000K bulbs with 1 HO actinic and 1 HO daylight or 3-250watt MH 6500K with 2 VHO actinic. I have found the 12000K bulb to be quite nice and probably needs less actinic support because my Open Green Brain coral floureses very well. I guess that indicates a good amount of blue in the 12000K bulb.
BurnNSpy