Lighting 180G (72x24x24)

[Marmot74]

Hey Guys,

I am totally new to reef lighting and want to get the correct light first time around.

I have a 180g, 72x24x24 tank.

I would like an all in one light with MH, T5 and Moonlights.

Is 3x250w a good choice? Should I get Magnetic or Electronic ballasts for the MH?

Been looking at the Belize Sun, Maristar and Aqua Medic combos but am totally going around in circles! Help

[Pazil]

What do you plan on keeping in the tank? That will determine what type of light you should be looking for.

[Marmot74]

It will be a full reef with SPS etc etc

So I don't wan't to limit myself much.

[burrows14]

Instead of a fixture would you consider a hood or light rack with pendants? 2x lumenbright large or 2 lumenarc pendants would give you plenty of coverage. at 24" deep you could get away with 250w MH. If you want to upgrade to 400w later on I would get either the lumatek or galaxy select a watt ballast's so you can switch from 250w to 400w with he flick of a switch. Then you can add t5's or leds for supplementation.

[Marmot74]

I was looking at the all in one types (MH, T5, Moonlight) like Hamilton Belize Sun. Do they suck?

[burrows14]

Ive heard good things about them from a couple of people. The only thing is that the centre brace will block out the middle MH.

[Marmot74]

The tank has 2 braces. Splitting the tank into 3rds. Wouldn't that be ideal for a 3 light unit?

[Coleus]

Originally Posted by Marmot74

I was looking at the all in one types (MH, T5, Moonlight) like Hamilton Belize Sun. Do they suck?

I think GlobalDesign has one and he is loving it. I got a chance to take a look at the light and I got to say it is very nice too. However, he was using 10K bulb at the time so i did not light the color much but the fixture itself is very solid build.

Unfortunately, if you want this fixture you are in a very long waiting list because they seems out of stock all the time.

I have been waited for over 2 months and now still waiting. If i have known this, I would have bought the maristar from Bulkreefsupply when they are 10% off on remember day. It is just Brutal if you are looking for 6 feet fixture.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one. If you look at build thread, Kien is using maristar for his reef tank.

Good luck