Light for 180 gallon

[dbcb314]

Could someone reccommend me a good light for a 180 gallon?

I am not looking to grow plants as the fish I will have in it will destory them. I think I want the "saltwater" look with the really bright white light + blue acintic light.

I am not looking to spend a ton of money though. Obviously I expect it to be over 200 but I am not looking to spend over 300.

I was thinking HO t5's of some sort but wasnt sure. Also, should I get two 3 foot lights or one 6ft light?

 

[12 Volt Man]

don't get T5 HO's without plants. even with plants you have to be careful. they are super bright and will create algae issues easily.

what I have on my 6 foot 150g is two of these:

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU.../allglassfluorescenttwintubestriplight36black

with the factory bulbs taken out and Hagen Powerglo T8's used instead.

the Aqueon factory bulbs that some with it are 8000K and very pink. bright but pink.

I didn't like the look so I changed them. but the fixtures are very well made, with full aluminum insides for max. reflection.

 

[dbcb314]

Do you just have 2 four foots or did you find 6 footers somewhere?

 

[12 Volt Man]

I have two 36" double strips (the ones I posted in the link) end to end.

 

[aclockworkorange]

I like the look of T5 over T8. But if you don't have plants, high wattage t5 WILL promote algae.

Also, check out these:
http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-36in-4x39W-T5-HO-Light-Fixture-Advance-p/52202.htm

They come with moonlights. Too bad they are out of stock.

 

[dbcb314]

^

 

[Miguel4u2]

I like the look of T5 over T8. But if you don't have plants, high wattage t5 WILL promote algae.

Also, check out these:
http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-36in-4x39W-T5-HO-Light-Fixture-Advance-p/52202.htm

They come with moonlights. Too bad they are out of stock.

Or thesehttp://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-36in-4x39W-T5-HO-Light-Fixture-Basic-p/52207.htm, no picture though but moonlights also

 

[Zander_The_RBP]

IMO get 2 36" double t5 strip lights (not T5HO just normal t5) they use 11 less watts per bulb and give out the same intenisty of light at a t8 strip.

 

[aclockworkorange]

Or thesehttp://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-36in-4x39W-T5-HO-Light-Fixture-Basic-p/52207.htm, no picture though but moonlights also

Those are cool, the only bummer is the single power output, so you can't put different lights on a timer.

 

[aclockworkorange]

IMO get 2 36" double t5 strip lights (not T5HO just normal t5) they use 11 less watts per bulb and give out the same intenisty of light at a t8 strip.

Yes, I have a coralife t5 fixture on my 20g from Big Als that was cheap and works great.