Cost difference between reef tank and non-reef

[Gti_Leo]

if you have a narrow tank, you can always use LEDs with a narrow lense that penatrate deeper

 

[Tomchong22]

If it is a hex tank I would maybe look into a single metal halide lamp at 250watt. A 27" deep tank is kind of hard to light. I am trying to wrap my head around the shape of the tank with that type of dimensions. For the best bang for your buck I would look into a metal halide.I would think a t5 fixture would be a little hard to fit onto such tank. I might be wrong, but could you post a pic of your tank to help out further. There really is so many options for lighting.

 

[adam83]

Maybe this will give you a better idea of the shape - the back is 48" the front is 32" and the two sides connecting the front to the back are about 12" each.

 

[Tomchong22]

Ok that makes sense. That is a odd shaped tank. I would go with the metal halide due to the odd shape, depth of the tank and limited room. A single 250 watt metal halide will be plenty of light for you. Depending on the reflectors you might have the light dimm towards the back corners but I think this will be your best bet.

 

[adam83]

what would such a setup cost?

...and does everyone agree with tomchong's assessment?

 

[kurtyboh]

my point was that he already has the pc's- they will certainly start a reef and allow the op to play around with some corals as he gets back into the hobby, then when/if he decides to upgrade his lights its too easy... everything is set he drops in a mh with t5 support and led night view... This way he can start his reef on the cheap and differ his cost over the next yr or so. I agree pc's are not anywhere near the best lights, but he has them and they do work.

 

[kurtyboh]

Aqualight Advanced Series HQI Metal Halide Tank Mount Aquarium Lighting | Metal Halide Lighting | Lighting Systems | Aquarium - ThatPetPlace.com

Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting: Hamilton Technology Cayman Sun HQI System

 

[huma-huma]

my point was that he already has the pc's- they will certainly start a reef and allow the op to play around with some corals as he gets back into the hobby, then when/if he decides to upgrade his lights its too easy... everything is set he drops in a mh with t5 support and led night view... This way he can start his reef on the cheap and differ his cost over the next yr or so. I agree pc's are not anywhere near the best lights, but he has them and they do work.

+1... there's really no need to upgrade the lighting when he already has the PC's... granted he wont have a ton of placement choices or coral choices, but it wouldn't be a wise idea for the op to go all out and buy a ton of high light corals when he's trying to ease back into it. Go with the current lights, get some easy beginner corals, once the tank stabilizes and you get a solid grasp on everything then upgrade the lighting and get more advanced corals

 

[Smithcinema]

Go with led lights just returned the nova t5 ho it sounded like a airplane in my living room !! If I had 2 live with that 10 hours a day tank would be gone !!! Went with the marineland reef ready led there do cheap I put 2 over my tank for a few dollars more and the lighting is much brighter than the nova and they are paper thin with no fan !! Very happy now