I'm picking up a 165 gallon tank this week and am getting ready to order lights for it. Being an old reef junkie I'm sold on MH, but the more research I am doing the more convinced I am that T5 is the way to go. That being said, I"m having a tough time pinning down the wpg. This tank is 30" deep, which I would assume would require brighter lighting to reach the bottom layer. On my 28" deep reef tank it required a 400 watt MH to keep acro's thriving near the bottom. I wouldn't think the T5's would compete with the MH's par for par? The typical recommendation seems to be right at 2 wpg with T5's to prevent an algea apocalypse, would this still hold true based on the extra deep dimensions of this tank?
Seondly, I am set on Icecap seeing as I've had great luck with them in the past. I was planning on picking up 2 660's running 4 72" T5's. Icecap claims that a 72" bulb run off their ballast will produce 85 watts. Sound right? If this is the case I will be at 2.06 wpg, or the normal magic number.
Sorry for the long post, thanks for the help.
Seondly, I am set on Icecap seeing as I've had great luck with them in the past. I was planning on picking up 2 660's running 4 72" T5's. Icecap claims that a 72" bulb run off their ballast will produce 85 watts. Sound right? If this is the case I will be at 2.06 wpg, or the normal magic number.
Sorry for the long post, thanks for the help.
