220 gallon lighting

[mightymice]

I am upgrading my current 135 gallon in wall tank to a 220 gallon over the next few months. My current lighting is 3 175W Metal halides supplemented by 4 retrofit 4 foot T5's. I currently have some LPS and softies mixed with a couple of montis and everything is doing well.
I will be selling my setup and replacing the lighting once I have everything moved into my 75 gallon.

Are T5's enough lighting over a 220 gallon (27 inch depth) - or do I need MH plus T5? I would like to start adding more SPS now that I will have extra room.
Thanks for your opinions.
Mike

 

[davesolo29]

i plan on using t5s over my 200 gallon.. also 27" depth.  supplemented by an led strip for moonlighting and shimmer effect.
i hope its enough to grow everything i want.
should be.  my 120 was 26" and i had no problem growing at the bottom.  strangely enough, it was the stuff in the middle that didnt do well.

 

[Salty Cracker]

Hey mighty.  Might be an idea to come by and take a look at my sps LED setup.  I would never go back to MH again... (although I have nothing against T5 except bulb life). 

 

[mightymice]

I have considered LEDs but don't know enough about them to make an informed purchase. Salty - I may take you up on that offer. Will PM to arrange. I don't mind my halides as heat is not an issue and I like the shimmer.

Dave - How many T5's are you using?
Mike

 

[davesolo29]

on my 120 i was using a 6 bulb tek..  had no problems hitting the 26 inch depth.
on my 200 i will be using an 8 bulb sunpower.  i dont see it being a problem(once i get new bulbs)

 

[Salty Cracker]

I have considered LEDs but don't know enough about them to make an informed purchase. Salty - I may take you up on that offer. Will PM to arrange. I don't mind my halides as heat is not an issue and I like the shimmer.

Dave - How many T5's are you using?
Mike

You aint seen shimmer until you see LED shimmer.  In fact, the complaint is usually 'too much shimmer' or discoball effect

I was almost needing a chiller, my MH's were getting the tank up to 84deg in summer unless I had the house like an icebox. 

 

[spyd]

A T5 fixture will bejust fine for that depth. What is the width of your tank? I would go with a combo of T5s and led. Maybe and ATI Powermodule with XHO led strips attached to the sides?

 

[mightymice]

220 is 24 inches wide - was thinking 8 bulbs should do it.

 

[davesolo29]

8 bulbs should do it.  mine is 36 wide.