Lights for a 37g reef

[pshootr]

I am thinking about seting up a 37 gallon reef tank for eventually all types of coral. I plan on useing a 20 gallon tank for a sump. The tank for the reef is 21in. tall. I live in a warm climate and somtimes the house is near 80F I assume because of this I could never use MH with out a chiller. Am I rite? What kind of lighting setup would be optimal for this senerio? I do not want to have to use a chiller. Though if possible would like to be able to use a MH without a chiller. Low wattage MH? Or just forget about MH?

[pshootr]

Well after thinking about this for awhile, I think MH is out of the question because of heat. And have determind that T5 is prob. my best option. Let me know what you think.

[mattgeezer]

i use a 6500k sera daytime and 10000k actinic tubes for my 35gal it works well $40.00au per tube

[pshootr]

Originally Posted by mattgeezer

i use a 6500k sera daytime and 10000k actinic tubes for my 35gal it works well $40.00au per tube

Thanks for the reply Matt. I was wondering what wattage is the 6500k? That is a MH rite?

[mattgeezer]

18watts dude , its not metal halide they are just flourescent.

[pshootr]

Ah ha, ok thanks for the info.

[Urban_s]

It also depends on what kind of corals you are wanting to keep. If you want a good bang for the buck you could overdrive NO bulbs(ie poor mans vho)

[Birchell]

t-5's are great!! How long is your tank?? You should check out ReefGeek > Aquarium Supplies for Marine, Reef, and Saltwater Aquariums they have a great selection of the tek lights. The tek lights have great reflectors and will get the most light in your tank as posible!!! What kinda corals do you plan on keeping??

[pshootr]

I would in the long run like to keep SPS as well as LPS and softies. The tank I have in mind is a 37 Gallon 24 1/2 L, 18 1/2 D, 21 3/8 T

Thanks for the link, I have looked at them and they do seem very nice.

[Birchell]

they make alot of pc(power compact) lights that are 24 inches tooo, but they are not able to keep sps happy too long. Most will turn brown in a few months. But I think the pc lights are the same if not more than the t-5's though.