Lighting for 200-300 gallon tank

[revival]

Looking at lighting for a 200-300 gallon tank and was thinking about getting some normal output T5's. I was told by an online store that normal output T5's are too dim and it would take about 6 lights for a tank this size. He recommended a High Output T5 fixture but feel it is unessesary because i will not have any live plants and was told by other members that i will face algae problems. So i guess my question is what are some fixtures that you guys would recommend for a tank this size?

- Havent bought the tank yet but length will be between 72"-96" and height between 24"-30". Thanks in advance.

 

[12 Volt Man]

normal T5's are bright, but narrow. so you need many bulbs to properly light a tank that size or you will have dark and light areas. In my PM I didn't realize your tank was going to be so big.

if it were me, I would go with two of these, with Hagen Powerglo T8's (or your favorite standard flourescent bulb ):

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

I use them on a 6 foot 150g and they are very well made. if you like the 8,000lk ones that come with them, leave them. I bought new bulbs though as the 8000K ones are very pink. some like that look. I didn't.


hope this helps

 

[remo1997]

i have a 8 ft long,4ft wide,30 inch high and i try going with t5 fixtures(pet store kind$$$) and like it but had to use four 48inch use up alot of plug space,later on i bulit my own light box.half the size of the tank front to back and 8 ft long.bought t5 fixtures from home depot like 20.00 each 6 of them,spliced them together one plug and they work great...and i have no aglaee problems with this light setup,but did a little with the pet stores fixtures ... the bulbs some of them where deep blue and pink etc..

 

[fox3]

I am using lights I bought from AH Supply on a 210G:
http://www.ahsupply.com/

I have four 96w kits. Two 10,000k and two 10'000k combo. I really only ever use two, the 10,000k, and get plenty of light only using all four on occassion. These kits throw off a lot of light.

 

[jizon82]

I will be using x2 normal output t5 30" coralife dual strip lights on my 72"x30"x24" tank. Currently have only but picking up another at lfs for 35 tomorrow. Tried the one I have on my empty tank on one side and IMO it's pretty bright.