how much lighting

Hi , I'm setting up 75 gal reef, not sure about hard corals , was wondering about 4 T5 ho,s or should I go with 4 vho,s. Could anyone help me on this one?

 

T5hos hands down, VHO IMO are outdated tech! you will be so much ahppier with t5s plus you can do some crazy color combos! make sure the unit you buy has SLRs

 

+1, not much you can add to that!

 

If you're not going to be doing lots of SPS coral then 4 T5 HO bulbs with good reflectors are more than enough. Just be aware that it seems like the majority of new reefers (including myself) always start out hesitant about LPS or SPS or whatever but ultimately there is almost always some nearly irresistable coral that you really want to keep, and it's a slippery slope. I personally would plan to ultimately keep at least LPS.

 

If you get a good t5 light such as a tek, a 4 bulb will be able to sustain sps with out any problems

 

for future reasons I would go with t5's but pending size of tank it will go on would say get the 6 or 8 bulb fixture you can alway cut back on the bulbs usage. And add once ready to get more sps.

vho's isn't out dated I am seriously thinking about using vho's for the color pop they give off.

 

we can agree to disagree i believe they are out dated in the fact that no one really runs just vhos, i have vhos on my 180 (2-6footers) and im switching them out to get for t5s,

 

On the 18" wide 75... I would opt with 5 or 6 lamps over 4. You will have better coverage that way and its mot much more $$
Just a thought

 

Agreed. You could even get away with the 8x54W. In fact, that's what I would go with IIWY. That way you are covered if you ever upgrade to 90g. And it's not too much light. Your tank would rock.