A chiller is something I just can't do at this time, if I were to do that my new address would be the garage. A chiller could be in the cards for next year. Already into it for $2800 and i still have to do something for lighting as you all know.Lighting is very frustrating in that there are so many veriables and it cost some bucks so you don't want to make a wrong decision. But like mike said we'll get you through. One last factor in the lighting game is Heat. With MH lamps you are more then likely going to have to add a chiller to the mix if you want to keep SPS corals.
My tank is 60 X 18 X 26, To purchase a chiller now after what was spent and what has to be spent on lighting will put me in the doghouse in the garage. Thanks for outlining my options, i'm going to start my list and price it out.If this is a typical 120g of 48"x24"x24" then two 250w halides would be fine. You may or may not need a chiller depending on fan use and your willingness to top the system off. You don't need actinic supplementation with halides and if you want a bluish tinge you can purchase a Reeflux 10k-12k, Phoenix 14k, Aqualine 13k, XM 15k, or Hamilton 14k. I prefer DE over mogul. As for a strictly T5 system an IceCap 6 bulb over-driven unit would work or better yet an ATI 8 bulb Powermodule.
Thanx man, your the second person that recommended the identical solution.a fan directed across the top of the water might be enough of a chiller. i dont really know though since i've never used MH b4.
This is what I ordered, 4-48" T5HO reflectors and waterproof , 2-250w MH Parabolic HQI reflector w/lens (Lumenarc Mini 2 xpensive at this point), 2-Phoenix MH 250W 14,000K lamps (Innovator recommended), 1-1,2,3 or 4 lamp Ballastwise DXE4H05U T5HO Ballast max output 232w, and 2-MH 250w ballasts also from ballastwise. This should be a good start. I'll add moonlight stuff later. I'll get everything wired up and installed then I'll find out which lamps to get for the T5HO.That's alot of light. It will definitely work, but if you get those Lumenarc reflectors I linked to previously, you can get away with 2 250w MH and 2 T5HO for supplemental lighting. Even tho T5's are thin, using them with individual reflectors at 2" wide each, they will take up some space. 6 bulbs x 2" each = 12" for the T5 setup....leaving you a 6" opening for the MH's if you mount the T5's 3 in front and 3 in back.
Agreed.Nice going, Keith. Now, just remember slow and easy wins the race.
There will be many, maybe a new thread on the build.Looks like your off to a good start.
Looking forward to some pics.