Bulbs needed for new tank?

[ReefSurge]

With a tank measuring 72"x30"x24", how many halides with I have to use.

[Leviathan]

Typically you put 1 halide for every 2 feet to get a good spread of light.

IMO- I would put 3 250's above a tank of that size, possibly even 3 400's

[ReefSurge]

I have 3 - 250W MHs right now on my 150G, but since the new tank will be wider (30"), I want to make sure the light gets back that far. The height will be 24", so I think i will stick with the 250W bulbs.

[s13silvia]

if you will have a canopy over your new tank, i would just add 2 VHO's to your current setup. have one up front and one in the back and that should cover your tank

[tybox]

i have a 72" tank with 2 400w halides one in middle one to the left i have tried all spacing options with 2 and you always end up with dark spaces somwhere. I would go with 3, you can get away with 2.

[ReefSurge]

I was thinking that I would need 5 MHs with a tank that big. Especially with 30" from front to back. I already have three and everyone keeps mentioning 2...all I want to know is if I would need more than three. According to the watts/gallon rule, with only 3 MHs = 5W/g ; with 5 MHs = 7.5w/g.

What do you folks think?