Ordered new tank today!!!!

[cmaxwell39]

Well, I have been thinking about it for a while now and I finally decided to go ahead and do it. I went and ordered a 50 breeder (36x18x18) from the lfs today. It is going to be a SPS tank.
I am still in the planning stages on this one. I know that I will be putting a sump/fuge underneath and will probably try to do pvc overflows. I bought a used G2 off of the classifieds on here so that is what I am going to be running for a skimmer.
I am still not sure what I am going to do about lighting. I will either be going T5 or MH. I know that I would be able to use T5 just fine because the tank is shallow (18") but I have never run metal halide and might try it.
I guess one question I have would be if I do go Metal Halide should I go with a one bulb fixture or two? I know that each bulb is supposed to cover a 2 ft by 2 ft area so that would leave about 6" on each end of the tank that is not lit.
I have so many other ideas that I am trying to decide which is best, but I probably have time as I don't think that I will be setting this thing up too fast. If it is up and running by the fall I will be doing good. Money is going to be the biggest hold up. Any suggestions or ideas would be great guys. Thanks.

 

[cmaxwell39]

Bump.

 

[artie1209]

You can use one bulb on your setup 175w. If your coral choices require a lot of light go for a 250w. You may end up using supplemental florecent anyway. Most reffers prefer MH. I personally use 175w mh 10k +2 vho 1 actinic white and 1 actiniic blue for my 65gal. I have mostly LPS corals. Your breeder is much shallower. So a similar configuration should work for you. I would use a 250 mh and a pair of t5s if i were trying to grow SPS corals. Hope that is a start.

 

[brandan]

I would personally go with T-5s only. They run much cooler, and will allow you to get the perfect color you are looking for without buying expensive MH bulbs. You can mix and match bulbs to tweak the color you want.

 

[cmaxwell39]

I am probably leaning towards T5s. I run T5s on my 75 mixed reef now and really like them. I have never had metal halides though and the shimmer effect is neat. I just don't think that I am going to need them with the tank only being 18" in depth. Hard to justify metal halides if the only benefit is going to be the shimmer.
Another question. Should I be looking at bare bottom or should I run a sand bed. I have seen SPS dominated tanks both ways. What are some advantages/disadvantages of each? Thanks so far guys.