Lighting for a 48" tall aquarium

[ThomasWest]

It's been quite the journey, but I finally have my 360 gallon (6 feet long by 4 feet high) take setup and running (minus the lights). Tank is made from 1" acrylic. Everything to this point has progressed at a snails pace so I didn't mess anything up. Now is the time where I'm going to purchase my lighting system. yay! Anyhow, my take is a FOWLR tank (currently has 300 lbs of live rock and will be adding another 200) and not a reef. So, I need a good lighting system that will penetrate the full 4 feet. I know metal halides will work, but don't want/need those.

Any recommendations besides metal halides?

Also, the inside dimensions of the canopy is 70" and I'm thinking of a 60" lighting fixture or two 30's.

I'll post pictures of my aquarium once I'm an established member...can't do that just yet.

Thanks!

 

[broken]

It all depends on if you will have plants, If so you will probably need a decent amount.
I have a 4ft tall tank that is 8ft long and all I have is a 3ft and a 4ft light fixture and it is plenty enough for me but i have no plants.

 

[ThomasWest]

Think I'm going to order the: 72 Inch 12x39 Watt AquaticLife T5 HO Light Fixture w/ 6 LEDs

It's $780, so didn't want to mess up

 

[BODYDUB]

You could build you own lights for wayyyyyyyy less..........

 

[Mr Pleco]

http://www.ultraluxlight.com/commercial_lighting_fixtures_46_ctg.htm

 

[Malawi Monster]

Look into Coralife lunar setups as well. I have one on my 150....lighting is very bright. Got mine on sale for less than $400. Halides might be the way to go for you as well...they produce tons of light....but from what I understand they run really hot and burn a lot of electricity!

 

[12 Volt Man]

if you want good light penetration on a 4 foot tall tank, halides are your only option.

I have HO T5s and yes, they are quite bright (I use them on a freshwater planted tank) but from what I understand in terms of light penetration they are really only good for up to 30" tall tanks or so.

after that, I believe metal halides are really the only option. 48" is a very tall tank.

 

[Pharaoh]

if you want good light penetration on a 4 foot tall tank, halides are your only option.

I have HO T5s and yes, they are quite bright (I use them on a freshwater planted tank) but from what I understand in terms of light penetration they are really only good for up to 30" tall tanks or so.

after that, I believe metal halides are really the only option. 48" is a very tall tank.

I'm not a saltwater expert by any means, but it is my understanding that saltwater requires more lighting to penetrate to the bottom.

 

[BadOleRoss]

You need metal halides! T5s are good to about 24"!

 

[12 Volt Man]

for a tank that tall, you will probably have to go with the 400w halides.