[lifeoffaith]

I'd like to set this 46 gallon bowfront up as a reef. I currently have about 80 lbs of liverock in it about 6 inches from the top of the tank give or take. Currently it is a fish only tank, but I can't spend a ton on lighting. I'm thinking Metal Halide due to the lower cost of the lights themselves, but I have no idea what intensity light I'd be looking for, how far to hang from the top of the tank or even how to hang since it's in a vaulted ceiling room. I'm assuming I could hang from brackets on the wall? Also, it's in my living room, so keep this in mind as it has to look half way decent too. Any suggestions? I'd consider T5 and would really love LEDs, but from what I've seen I can't really afford them right now.

 

[Frenzy]

Look into Evergrow LEDs. Very affordable. check out my setup. I used two 11" shelf brackets from IKEA. drilled a hole in the bottom of the bracket for an eyelet to hang them. Looks very clean.

http://www.michiganreefers.com/foru...82817-installed-my-evergrow-leds-weekend.html

What's the footprint of the 46 bow front? you may be able to get away with one. There are other companies that sell the lights such as ocean revive, reef breeders, etc but they are all evergrow. the lights I bought do not have the fancy controller. I have mine hooked up to a timer and control light output with the dial built into the light.

 

[lifeoffaith]

Can I ask where you got yours and price range? I don't need fancy controllers or anything either, I can use a timer as well. The tank is 36 long and I think 18 at its center. I saw your post, your tank looks great!

 

[Frenzy]

This is the package I purchased. I must have bought them during a sale because they have gone up about $30 a piece.
2pcs Evergrow Dimmable 120W Full Spectrum LED Light for Coral Reef Aquarium Tank | eBay

If you search evergrow D2120 on google, there are a lot of versions but all made by the same company, evergrow. D2120 is the newer version of the D120. I believe the main improvement was a larger heat sink. There were other changes but that was the main one.

I read somewhere online the light output is 24" long. I'm trying to find the site where I read that, but not having luck. I can confirm this. My tank is 48" long. Don't count on one of these lights lighting the full length of your 36" tank.

 

[lifeoffaith]

I think I'm going to pick up two of these shortly. What height are yours at and what depth is your tank? What kind of corals do you have? I'm looking forward to finally being able to have some fun with some decent corals! I have a coral beauty in the tank, so I'll have to just play it by ear as to what corals I can keep in there. Hopefully he'll leave them alone.