Shallow frag tank light

[emm0909]

I'm planning for the future. What power light would you say to put over a 48" x 48" x 10". What about a 48" x 48" x 8"?
I was thinking a 400 watt MH pendant would do the trick fine.

 

[tropills]

at only 8 or 10 inches deep that 400 will have to be 2 feet away from the top of the tank . IMO

 

[viper_930]

That's fine, since it'll need to cover 16 sq. feet.

 

[emm0909]

Well if I have a pendant trying to cover the 16 sq. feet then 2 foot above would be needed. I would like to have only one. Would a 250 be enough at 2 feet above the water?

 

[viper_930]

If you're planning on growing SPS I would go with the 400 watt.

 

[emm0909]

I honestly think I'm going to focus on zoanthids and LPS for the first tank. If I have room I'll set up a second for SPS. Two different systems. It's for the fun of fraging and for studying really. I'll probably want to keep light a constant between the two so probably a 400 watt on the softies/lps as well huh?