If i were to start a 60g reef what would i need?

[michika]

Originally Posted by SeaSerpant

mflamb from reefcentral i had asked about the lights came up up with this
On your tank with those animals, I would make two 12 inch reflectors, and use 12K, 175 watt metal halide bulbs/reflectors, and put a T-5 actinic bulb in front and behind the metal halides. The color would be great and you would get good growth from the corals.

Anyone give me a template on how to make the reflectors. and where to get the materials?

You could also just order a batwing reflector from somewhere like J&L and put both bulbs in that. 175w bulbs are great, however just so you know not everyone carries them all the time. Cheapest place to get them is either J&L or Hidden Reef.

Bulbs that are more yellow-white, in the 10k range will give you better growth but most everything will be brown/green-brown, bulbs that are more blue, in the 20k range will give you brighter colors, but they will be mostly purples and blues. Most people aim for a 12-15k bulb to maximize both growth and color. Really though its all about personal prefernce.

Are you going to suppliment your MH lighting?