I ended up going with the Tek 24" 4-bulb from Gold's. The tank is 30"x18"x18" and it provides great coverage.

- Chad

Update photos
 

Well, sorry that I have been away for a while. Here are some recent photos of the tank. I have added some zoanthids and some rics and a pair of clowns. I think that the clowns will be the only fish I put in this tank - now to build it up with some more nice softies.


FTS (please excuse the diatoms on the bottom pane, I haven't cleaned the glass in a while - but there's some coraline growth there too):

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9.../070513001.jpg




blurry photo of the clowns - at least the rics were standing still:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9.../070513020.jpg



This is the same zoo colony I posted before but I wanted to show how much the palys have colored up. This pic doesn't even do it justice - the skirts are an fluorescent green even under the daylight bulbs. I have never had a coral this bright before - I wish I could get the camera settings right so you could see what I mean:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9.../070513009.jpg



- Chad

Looking good Chad.
No need to adjust your camera settings.. just send me a frag of the palys so I can see in person.. :razz:

curious
 

I am really interested in hearing how your T5 lighting system is working with the coral growth and such, is it as good as you thought, or better!!?:biggrin:

Hey npr, sorry I didn't respond earlier. Actually I couldn't be happier with the t5ho. I only kept soft corals in my tank but I got excellent growth from my zoanthids. I was worried that I would miss the shimmer of halide but, among the current lighting options, I would still choose t5 - the colour, cost, and life of the bulbs is awesome.



Having said that, I have decided to part with this system. You can check it out over in the for sale forum... but unfortunately the lights are already spoken for.

All the best,

- Chad