What light combo to use for a new tank?

So I am in the planing phase of my new tank. I will be building a 150G woody but I am un decided on the lighting. The dimentions of this tank are L=64" W=30" D=22". I have a 40G reef tank that I will breaking up after I build this tank. On that tank I have 4-36" tek2 T-5 lights. I also have a 16" 400w MH fixture on my 37T lion fish tank.

Option 1- Use the 4-36" t-5's I have, add 4-24" t-5's and 4-60" t-5's. Estimated cost- $600

Option 2- Run 8-60" t-5's
Estimated cost- $700

Option 3- Use the MH I have in the center and add 12-24" t-5's
Estimated cost- $710

Option 4- ????????????????????????????


I would like to go all out with this tank and try my hand at some clams and alot of sps. But I am trying to spend as little as possible on lighting since I am going nuts on the filtration. I would prefer to go all t-5's just to keep the heat down. I would like to avoid buying a chiller if I can. But I will be getting a digital aquatics reef keeper elite controller or something very similar. That way if my tank starts to heat up it can shut down some of the lights. What do you guys think, am I planing enough light, to much, or the wrong kind?

P.S. Hear is the design for the new tank. http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/my-new-diy-tank-design-68598.html

The MH on my 37T. http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-off-your-fish-tanks/new-37t-bow-front-tank-69250.html

My Reef with 4-36" t-5. http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-off-your-fish-tanks/infantry1327s-40g-reef-tank-62980-4.html

 

dual 400 watt mh with lumenmax reflectors.

 

I had thought about that, but I am worried about the heat since this will pretty much be a enclosed tank. The 400w MH I have over my 37T gets pretty warm and I want to try and avoid buying a chiller for as long as possible

If I haft to do it then I haft to do it. It will just take a bit longer to save up for a chiller but I would like to explore these other options first. I just like that I will be able to have alot more control over a t-5 system as far as cycling light phases and minimizeing excess heat.

 

dude I can tell you that if you are going to do sps and clams, you will want a chiller. It's all about temp stability.

 

Yea you are right, but if I get MH I will haft to get the chiller before I can add anything. If I go with t-5's I can get my fish and softies going, then a year later after my tank is fully established get the chiller and do sps/clams. Also the the 480w t-5 setup vs. 800w MH setup will be much easier on the electric bill. So the main question for you is will the t-5's work well or is MH a must have?

P.S. I used to grow some indoor plants back in the day (when I was young and dumb) and I still have a 400w MH ballast and reflector. Could I use that and just change the bulb/reflector. The ballast is made by sunlight supply. It has a selection switch for halide or sodium. So I could just leave it selected to halide and run a 10,000k bulb

 

ok I just saw that the tank is 22 inches tall. You could probably get by with t-5 for a while. You could even possibly use 2 250 watt mh. I was thinking that it would be a taller tank. I wouldn't try that 600 watt ballast btw. Just isn't worth a screw up. experimenting is important in this hobby. Give the 60 inch t 5's a run.

 

Sorry I was mistaken its a 400w hailde made by sunlight supply. I edited my previous post. Must of been while you where replying

As far as the 22" depth. This tank is going to look like a bar so Height is an issue.

 

Also if I where to run say a 250w bulb off the 400w ballast, would it only put out 250w or would it over power the bulb. Sorry for all the noob questions by electrical work and lighting is new to me. My electrical experience is limited to cars.

 

you could probably use the 2 400 watters you have already. Just add reflectors and sockets and you are good to go. Will save you alot of dough and I think you would be happier. Then you could take that money and get a chiller.

 

it would overdrive the bulb badly. I wouldn't even think of going there.