Lighting advice?

[Tom&Ben]

Yeah, ... I know, ...this topic has been beat to death, but now it's my turn!
I am looking to upgrade my 75 gallon lighting. I currently have two 96w 50/50 PC's. I am thinking T5 as opposed to MH/PC.
Cost, bulb life, heat and energy usage all seem favorable to MH in my "knowledge limited" opinion.
Any pointers, one way or the other?
What type of bulbs and how many for a 75 gallon reef, I want to be able to have a wide range of corals.
Thanks!
Tom

 

[ChrisBuono]

If you want to be able to have a wide range of corals, I'd recommend a combination of MH and T5s.

 

[gary greguire]

do you have a canopy?

if you wan't a few sps and mostly softies and lps go with 4 bulbs.

if you are looking to be heavy on sps then six bulbs.

if you are looking for full blown sps to the bottom of the tank then overdrive with icecap ballasts. Caution only if you are going full sps far to much light for allot of corals......

if you have a canopy then you could go with retros and IC reflectors

if not the tec light is a good choice there are also a couple of others that have good reflectors...

 

[Tom&Ben]

Thanks fellas,
I do have a canopy and I am thinking of a retro kit, I doubt I will have many sps.
So maybe 4 bulbs, eh?

 

[xxxbadfishxxx]

i would personally go with an Aquatinics 5 bulb fixture, should be perfect for your tank.

 

[monti-mike]

I owuld personally go with as many bulbs as u can fit., worse comes to worse u always make them the blue/03, but a little to much light is not a bad thing.......

InMyOwnOpion

peace
mike