question about lighting

[KrautBurner]

I'm looking for new lights for my 75gal tank 48 x 18 x 21 (would like to upgrade to 90gal in future 48 x 18 x 25)


I'm looking at a couple lighting fixtures
not sure which would be the best way to go.


It's just a basic reef tank, fish/softies (NO SPS)
I'd like to get another bta
I'm currently running a 4x96w PC fixture
only 3 of the bulbs are working (with the others worn out) it seems it would be as much to replace the bulbs as to get a new fixture


I'm looking at these two fixtures,
do you guys think it's really worth the cost (over double) to go with MH?
I believe I should be "fine" with the T5's


216w T5 (4x54) for $89
http://cgi.ebay.com/48-T5-High-Outp...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5884f6a8e1

they also have T6's (same stats)
I don't know anything about T6 bulbs/fixtures
http://cgi.ebay.com/48-T5-HO-Aquari...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5884f6a8f2

500w MH (Dual 250w) $199
http://cgi.ebay.com/48-500W-Aquariu...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5884f6a892




incase anyone was looking for a combo light (MH/T5) 716 watts
they have this one for 349
but I can't afford it

http://cgi.ebay.com/48-T5-HO-Aquari...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5884f6a8f2
Aquarium Metal Halide Light 716 watts

Approx Fixture Size: 48"L x 15 1/4"W x 2 3/4"H

Output:

* Metal Halide 250W x2.
* T5 High Output 54W x4.
* Dual lunar LEDs x6. ( 2 LEDs per outlet).

 

[fatboyt123]

out of those if you were going sps then the 2 250's. For the t5's i think you would need a 6x54 rather then the 4x54. Thats if you are going with sps.

 

[KrautBurner]

out of those if you were going sps then the 2 250's. For the t5's i think you would need a 6x54 rather then the 4x54. Thats if you are going with sps.

no SPS
I have no intention to do SPS in the future

 

[fatboyt123]

well then you could go with the 4x54, 175/150 halides, or just replace your pc's if you dont plan on doing any corals that require higher lighting.

 

[lvsuckerfish]

I would agree 6 rather then 4 as you have more color options with 6 bulbs then 4 and you can always take 1 or 2 off line if you think it is too much light. that would be my choice if I was to go softies only.

 

[gregony]

There's an LFS in Rochester using a 216W fixture on a 90 and they have no problems growing LPS.

 

[Skimmy]

get the new aquatraders t5 fixture w/ controller, LED moonlights, fan and individual reflectors for $109 if your going to go cheap.
and that will be plenty of light for softies and lps.
I would suggest getting geisemann or ATI bulbs for it though, the free bulbs that come with it are crap. .....what do you want for a hundred bucks???

 

[lizardarm]

I'd be wary of that particular halide fixture. I have no experience with it, but those reflectors don't look very good. JMO, I'd go with a six lamp T5 setup for your tank; anemone would appreciate the extra light. So far I've found the T5s that I run now to be quite a bit better than the PCs I used to run.

 

[KrautBurner]

There's an LFS in Rochester using a 216W fixture on a 90 and they have no problems growing LPS.

that's what they sell at my LFS with there 75gal

 

[KrautBurner]

get the new aquatraders t5 fixture w/ controller, LED moonlights, fan and individual reflectors for $109 if your going to go cheap.
and that will be plenty of light for softies and lps.
I would suggest getting geisemann or ATI bulbs for it though, the free bulbs that come with it are crap. .....what do you want for a hundred bucks???

where can I get this?
got a link?


edit:
this the right place? http://shop.aquatraders.com/T5-High-Output-Aquarium-Light-s/9.htm

http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-48in-4x54W-T5-HO-Light-Fixture-Pro-Series-p/52211.htm

Odyssea 48" 216W (4x 54W) T5 HO Light Fixture Professional

OUT OF STOCK

 

[fatboyt123]

http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-48in-4x54W-T5-HO-Light-Fixture-Pro-Series-p/52211.htm

yup

 

[KrautBurner]

I'd be wary of that particular halide fixture. I have no experience with it, but those reflectors don't look very good. JMO, I'd go with a six lamp T5 setup for your tank; anemone would appreciate the extra light. So far I've found the T5s that I run now to be quite a bit better than the PCs I used to run.

any suggestions on a 6 bulb T5?

 

[KrautBurner]

.
I would suggest getting geisemann or ATI bulbs for it though, the free bulbs that come with it are crap.

where would you suggest getting these bulbs?

 

[fatboyt123]

You could use a tek 6 bulb, ATI sunpower or the Power module. aquactinics also make good fixtures.

 

[roscoe]

where would you suggest getting these bulbs?

Reefgeeks.com

 

[NC2WA]

+1 to ReefGeeks. where I got my 39w actinic bulbs from..love them..

 

[Skimmy]

sorry, those odyysea fixtures are out until after the first of the year...
i forgot.

but they will have them back in stock soon enough.

as for bulbs, premium aquatics has all the popular brands all in one place.

 

[tylersweeney22]

well off the page you were looking at i would go wiht the 48" Aquarium Metal Halide system 716W Reef Lunar Coral.but personaly i would try to go with a good name brand. remember you get what you pay for..i picked this cuase you get the inensity of MH and the look of t5s actinic

 

[vinny2261]

For wht you have or want to be keeping I thinh the CF that you have currently should allow you to keep what you want and more. You could almost just do two bulbs. LOL
If you got the money and want to spend it the T-5's are the rage right now. Overall, I believe the bulbs last and cost about the same. replace your bulbs and go buy some livestock.....

 

[KrautBurner]

I ended up going with a 760W fixture (2x250w 20,000K MH / 4x65w PC Actinics)

an issue I never thought of... heat
I'm currently looking for a hood so I can get my lights up off the legs (currently about 5-6" over the water) and get some fans into the hood.

check out my tank pics in the link in my sig. http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53887