[agoins]

What kind of lighting would you guys for a 130 gallon tank?

5'9.5" Length
1'8" wide
1'10" tall

What lighting would you guys go with? I want to suspend something above the tank like 6-8" inches or so. 3 metal halide lamps? or something like T5's? I will be using DIY on it. So ill be making my own canopy and hanging it from the ceiling which is about 10' tall ha. I would like to do a low-med tech. Having the ability to upgrade to a highlight set up with CO2 would be nice once I get a hold of set up.

 

[jjp2]

I suggest you go with T5HO. You can do 4 80W bulbs (60 inches) and stagger them length wise and spread them over the width. You may only need 2 most of the time, and could start with that and then add 2 more when you go to CO2.

 

[kimba]

IMO, 3 x 150W M.H should be the best lighting system for 6ft tank. Suspended about 1 ft from water surface.

 

[lauraleellbp]

I suggest you go with T5HO. You can do 4 80W bulbs (60 inches) and stagger them length wise and spread them over the width. You may only need 2 most of the time, and could start with that and then add 2 more when you go to CO2.

That's the direction I'd go.

T5HO are much cooler to run than MH, which is a serious advantage where I live.

 

[macclellan]

Since it's 24" tall, 4 for low-tech, but get a 6 lighter if you want to upgrade to co2 down the road. It will be very hard to get good & consistent co2 output from diy on a tank that big.

 

[agoins]

Since it's 24" tall, 4 for low-tech, but get a 6 lighter if you want to upgrade to co2 down the road. It will be very hard to get good & consistent co2 output from diy on a tank that big.

yea, that would be impossible. :icon_eek:

Thanks for the input so far guys.