Lighting for 225 gallon 72x24x30tall

[tmcpeek]

My new tank is on the way and I want to get the lighting. For now I will have fish and live rock but in the next year or two I would like to start the transition to a reef tank. What lighting should I get to start with?

I was thinking of getting some VHO and then add metal halides later.

Should the VHO sit closer to the top of the tank then the metal halides? I am hoping to build a hood, but want to make sure that I am going about it in the right way.

 

[reefrunner69]

I was thinking of getting some VHO and then add metal halides later

This is what I would do.

Should the VHO sit closer to the top of the tank then the metal halides?

Yes, IMO, you should build your hood to allow the MH bulbs to be atleast 8" from the waters surface. With the VHOs along the front and back of the tank close to the surface of the water3-4".

 

[tmcpeek]

Thanks RR69. Looks like I am on the right track. How many bulbs should I use. I was thinking 4 VHO and 2-3 MH?

 

[reefrunner69]

Yes I would use 4 6ft VHO tubes and 3 400W mh bulbs.