Light for 150 gallon

[janek]

I am willing to take the plunge after Christmas and buy another tank bigger than my 55 gallon that I currently have. Over the 55 I have a coralife fixture at 4X65 Watt and without any fertilization (have some shrimp in there) and 2X2L DIY CO2, everything grows in there like crazy and for some reason I have no algae problems at all.

I will be buying a 150 gallon and was not sure how strong of a light I should be looking at as I would like to be able to grow most plants and I am aware that currently my lighting system is probably more than enough for a 55 gallon. I was looking at the Oddysea Light 72"384 Watt (although people say it is cheap $270.00) or 72" LUNAR AQUALIGHT POWER COMPACT 384 Watt ($339.00-would have to replace 2 of the lightbulbs), or 1 48"Coralife (260 Watt) and 1 36" (190 Watt) which would give me most wattage but would cost the most. I am just not sure what watteage should I be looking at for a 150 so I could grow most plants. I am planning on purchasing a pressurized CO2 system ofcourse.

 

[JDogg]

IF you are willing to do CO2 (probaly pressurized, DIY will probaly be tough on that big of a tank) and dose ferts (do not know how you are getting away with not dosing on the 55 :?)
i would aim for a total of 375-400 watts to grow MOST plants out there

 

[janek]

So 380-400 would be fine..that is very good news. As far as dosing for the 55 I never dosed since I started the planted tank because I have 3 amano shrimp and 1 of the bamboo shrimp or the fan shrimp and I have read on some forums that dosing fertilizers could have a negative impact on their health. I do get some small green spots on the glass every week and a half in some places that needs to be scraped off but I have never experienced any green algae on my plants (except for the onion plant leaves as they are on the surface). I only have 4 octos and the shrimp to do the cleaning and that is it. I do weekly water changes at around 20-25%.

Thank you for the good news since going over 400 watts seems to get quite expensive especially for complete fixtures.

 

[blazeyreef]

I agree..that would be fine!