75 Ga Flourescent Lights?

[FLcracker94]

I'm getting a 75ga tank, and will put in corals, fish, plants, you name it. I've heard that Metal Halides are the best for coral, but are extremely hot, and waste energy, and Flourescents will work with most corals and run cool and on less energy. I have a book that says a combination of the two are best, but if you get only flourescents, you should use 250watts or more. Is this true? How many 250+ watt lights should I use, and how many Kelvin should they be?

 

[SkiFletch]

Heh, lighting is one of the most complicated parts of this hobby... As you've hinted at, one of the best options for a 75gallon tank (48x18x20") would be dual halides with dual T5HO's or PC's. Were it my tank, I'd go with dual 175watt halides (12000-14000K) and dual 48" T5 actinics with individual reflectors. That would yeild enough light to keep just about any corals and still give them decent color. JMO though

 

[FLcracker94]

ok thanks...I might skip on the dual halides cause og energy and heat...

 

[SkiFletch]

Actually with a halfway decent reflector, a modern electronic ballasted metal halide like a 175watt halide is nearly as energy efficient as T5HO's with individual reflectors. On average its within 5-10% as efficient. And both Halides and T5HO's are MUCH more efficient than Power Compacts due to the inefficiencies of PC reflectors.