Compact fluorescent questions

[Orcrone]

I have a 125 gallon tank (22" deep) and a Coralife compact fluorescent fixture consisting of six 34", 96 watt bulbs. I'm considering upgrading to a metal halide/T5 fixture. To help me decide I'm wondering what limitations I'd have on keeping corals if I stick with my current fixture as far as what corals I can or can't keep. Also limitations for placement of corals in the tank.

Thanks.

 

[mauger1]

It depends what you want to keep. I really do not see you being able to keep sps or anemones very healthy with a pc light fixture. If you upgrade to a halide t5 you can keep sps/lps/anemones. Sps will do the best higher and lps will be lower. With your current fixture you can keep zoas, softies, and lps usually at higher levels.

 

[Orcrone]

Sounds like I should be looking for a new lighting fixture.

 

[alton]

I have had great luck keeping SPS and annemones with CFLS. In saying that you can not afford to change 6 x 96 watt lamps every 10 months. Switch to T5Ho or MH fixture with your savings on replacement lamp cost. With a tank only 22" dp you should be able to stay with 3 x 175 MH or 6 x 80w T5HO

 

[Orcrone]

I have had great luck keeping SPS and annemones with CFLS. In saying that you can not afford to change 6 x 96 watt lamps every 10 months. Switch to T5Ho or MH fixture with your savings on replacement lamp cost. With a tank only 22" dp you should be able to stay with 3 x 175 MH or 6 x 80w T5HO

How often do you change out MH and T5 bulbs? I currently change my CF bulbs once a year; doing one set every four months. Should I be doing that sooner? I'm not sure how often to replace MH bulbs, but I know that T5s last about 18 months. It doesn't seem to me that bulb replacement cost for the MH/T5 combination fixture would be much different than for my CF fixture.