Question on lighting and stand

[G-BO]

Hi I’m brand new to this, I have so many questions I don’t know where to start. I was gifted an aquarium 72”Lx24”Wx30”H I’m trying to determine how high I can make the stand. My ceiling is only 7ft. If I made my stand 38” and my tank is 30” that would give me 14” clearance from ceiling to top of tank. Is that enough? I don’t want to go to low because I’m making the stand out of 2x6’s and that would gimme an opening of 27” in my stand for me to get into the sump. Also will the lighting reach Down 30” to the bottom of my aquarium and do you know what type of lights to run and how many it might take, like I said I’m learning as I go.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I don't see it to be an issue. If you don't have a canopy, you can mount the lights directly on the ceiling. You will also be able to angle any long instruments into the tank to reach the bottom. The only issue I can see is if you have a glass scraper on a long pole, but that too you should be able to angle to clean the glass.

With the tank up that high, I'd suggest picking up a step-up stool to help with access to the tank, Here's the one I have:

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

it really depends on your coral goals. If you want sticks, you’re going to need to shell out more many than if you keep soft coral only.

 

[X-37B]

A clearance of only 14" is going to make it real hard to get to the bottom and back of the 30" tall display.
When you add lights you lose more inches.
30" stand would be better, imo.