Lighting opinions?

[beaker77]

I just wanted to get some opinions before I buy new lighting. I canââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t decide which fixture to get.
The two fixtures I'm looking at are:
1) AquaMedic Oceanlight 2x250w MH + 2x54w T5
2) Sunlight Supply Tek Light 8x54w T5

My tank is mostly LPS. I have no SPS but I do plan to - someday.
Here is a list of my livestock.
Misc zoanthids
Clove polyps
GSP
button polyps
4 open brains
2 frogspawn
2 candy canes
torch
hammer
goniopora
sun coral
Crocea Clam
Xenia

So what does everyone think I should get?

Thanks,

 

[Arsenal11]

Brian, both are nice options, i would go t5 & 8 bulb on a 72 is overkill 4 would be fine, check out the finnex fixture from premium aquatics & go with geisemann bulbs. Or the tek is a very nice fixture, i have 2 of each.

 

[beaker77]

If I go T5 again I definitely want a fixture with individual reflectors. If Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m not mistaken the Finnex fixtures donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t have individual reflectors. Right now I have a Nova Extreme 8x54 T5 and donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t feel like Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m getting as much growth from my corals as I would if the fixture had individual reflectors. From what Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ve been reading if you have T5ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s without individual reflectors you may as well just get compact fluorescent and save yourself some money.

Think a 6x54w Tek would be a better option? I don't mind the overkill of 8x54w, as soon as I get my basement fixed (flooding) and finished I'm going to upgrade to as big a tank as I can fit in my basement (200g is my guess).

 

[beaker77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7413279#post7413279 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ARSENAL11
Brian, both are nice options, i would go t5 & 8 bulb on a 72 is overkill 4 would be fine, check out the finnex fixture from premium aquatics & go with geisemann bulbs. Or the tek is a very nice fixture, i have 2 of each.

Where did you buy your Tek lights? Did you get the acrylic shield? Think they are really needed? I was thinking of going with the URI bulbs, should I get Geisemann instead?

 

[panaboy95]

i think reefgeek has the best deal on tek lights. a couple months ago i looked all over for the best prices. reefeek was the best.

 

[drgabe]

Personal bias - T5's. Safe for what you have now (MH's would be overkill) and will support SPS nicely in the future.

Of course T5's will also use less energy, produce less heat, etc.

 

[chadfarmer]

my sps are growing great under my t5s

i would go with the 6 bulb if i were you the extra 2 would just be to much unless you use them for acitinic

t5 is bright they are no joke (i probally wont go back to metal halide)

 

[beaker77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7416949#post7416949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chadfarmer
my sps are growing great under my t5s

i would go with the 6 bulb if i were you the extra 2 would just be to much unless you use them for acitinic

t5 is bright they are no joke (i probally wont go back to metal halide)

For the 8 bulb unit I was planning to use:
2 URI Actinic white 12k
2 URI Super Actinic
4 URI Aqua Sun 10k

I'd like to see some reviews on the URI bulbs before I buy them.

What combo should I with on a 6 bulb fixture?

 

[beaker77]

I think I'm ready to order the six bulb fixture. What 6 bulbs should I get? I prefer a crisp white.

 

[beaker77]

I got the 6x54w fixture yesterday from The Reef Stop (Thanks Mark!). Now that's fast, I ordered the light Tuesday and got it Thursday. Glad I didn't go with the 8x54w light it would have hung over the front of my tank. This one is barely going to fit. Now I'm just waiting on the URI bulbs and hanging kit.

BTW, I don't recommend getting the acrylic shield that SLS sells for the light. Just have a local glass shop cut one for you.