Lighting Options

[Sliver_moon]

Anyone have any recommendations for new lighting? I bought Ted's 75 gal and now i need new lights! I want want MH, but i dont know what type bulbs, if i should do a combo MH and PC (or whatever).... I want to start growing more LPS and SPS..... What does everyone have here? just trying to get ideas!

Thanks! Chrissie

PS if anyone has some sand or live rock to sell (or lighting) that would be great, cause right now i only have whats in my 30 gal!

 

[Der ABT]

I might be selling my Coralife Aqualight pro
2x150 MH
2x96w Power Compacts
3xBlue Lunar lights

Not sure what i need to get for it but if your interested let me know.
it sits on my 75g now, ill be breaking it down soon to give to a friend for his wedding gift and upgrading to a bigger tank after i move.

 

[Sliver_moon]

How well has that combination done for you? I have PCs on my tank now, but im still so unsure of this whole MH thing! lol

Would anyone recommend this particular light verses another?

 

[gomd]

I've always liked halides. It really just depends on personal preference. If you can get a fixture with everything already in it that would save you having to build/buy a canopy for your tank too. The nice thing about halides is that you can get different color temperature bulbs to suit your lighting preference and the water makes it ripple like sunlight.

 

[Der ABT]

I love my lights, i have it all on timers so i really dont have to do anything, the moon lights are freaking crazy at night

If i had a choice id probably switch my PC to T5s just cause everyone raves about T5s over PC, havent had any problems just a wish list.

Really the only change for me would be a differ k bulb, id probalby go to 20k bulbs, cept i bought 10k aqualine bulbs about 2 months ago and dont have the money for new ones. 10k is just more of a yellow and 20k is more blue and tends to help with coloring.

Lately with turning my AC/Heat off its gotten to about 80deg in the familyroom where the tank is, so i had to put a fan blowing at the lights for when the halides are on to help wtih water temps (i dont have it hanging above the tank anymore cause im getting the house ready to sell and to move the tank so i made a makeshift hood. but the fan has kept water temps just fine

 

[Sliver_moon]

let me know if you end up selling it and how much you would want for it!

 

[Fitchguy]

To me, and this is only my opinion, all Reef Tanks should have some metal halides over it. Period! There is not anything that makes a reef tank look better than metal halide light, especially with the water glitter lines. Yes, T-5's are efficient and different K Ratings and all that but with how a Reef Tank looks with Metal halides I dont think you can touch it. To me the flourescent light saves electricity and still grows coral and all that but it does add that sparkle that I think a reef tank deserves.

 

[SS7]

I'm going to add some dynamics to follow up the previous post. I prefer T5 only setups.

The T5 bulbs give great coverage, provide multiple light spectrums, and run low heat relative to light output. Metal halides accent the tank with an appealing shimmer and focused intensity in their location.

If you were to do a combination of the 2, you would have a well rounded system. 4 T5s and 2 150mh would be, in my opinion, an ideal mate for your size system.