New tank, Lighting help

I know Tom, the owner. That looks like their set ups. I know they do a lot of business up your way.

 

You should have got the bulkheads they carry.

 

another question i have geekdafied is that you are suggesting 16x39w t5 ho's, that would be 624watts which i thought for coral you want 5-7 watts per gallon???

 

ok i thought maybe they had a bad rep or something, i did get the Schedule 80 Heavy Duty bulkheads from them.

 

400w an overkill????:-/ You must of not read the hole article you posted a link to. How on earth is T5's better then Metal Halides?????? He has to keep most of his SPS's 10" to 15" (3" light heigth from water) from the surface. I guess if you just want all your coral in the upper part of you tank then choose T5. I would much rather choose a light that has unlimited possibilities in coral growth and color in tanks deeper then 15".

 

The watts per gallon ratio's are out dated. You cant go by them anymore.

 

Otty, did you happen to read the "I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the 54-watt versions allowed me to maintain SPS even on the sandbed."

 

Check this link out viper... A buddy of mine is doing a 180 just like yours.
Click Here

 

Yep, and if you noticed it was in the paragraph before him talking about he depth and color problems with SPS's

 

thanks again, your friends is alittle over my head right now, but hopefully i can make into a setup like that.