MH or T-5 for my 100?

[Scoobaman17]

So I have a 100G display loaded with softies, leathers, 1 torch, 1 disk, 1 derasa, and 2 acros

I want to be able to have more clams like croceas and maximas.

Right now about 6 inches from the water I have an Oceanlight 48" Metal Halide Fixture 2x250 HQI + 1x150 HQI, by AquaMedic* with 20K bulbs giving the blue look.

Thats 650 watts of halides for this 100 gallon tank.

I would love a lower heat, less wattage lighting system like the t-5 but can it support my wish list and still support everything I have?


The Grim Reefer has suggested going with a 6 lamp 4 foot ATI Sunpower fixture which runs for about $550 or so.

My real question is would it be worth the change? Would I save money in the end and still be able to have the things I want. I am not going full out sps. At least not until I build my 300 gallon in wall tank with a back room but thats in a few years. "hopefully" lol

Thanks it's just time to get new bulbs but I don't want to dish out $200 in bulbs if I can get a different light system that can help me out.

 

[Scoobaman17]

Here are some pictures of what I currently have.

This big guys plate is now over 18 inches across fully expanded. I don't know what to do with him anymore.

I don't know this acros specific name but it's been growing fairly fast.

Don't know what this one is but I got this one for $5 as well when it was much smaller

 

[hansmatt]

I'd say yes...I have an ATI PM, 6x54watt 48" on my 90g, and it will grow anything...for softies you might have to acclimate them (though you have lots of intense light already). To me (not ever run mh) the point source of mh gives much more diverse par levels throughout the tank, whereas the t5 is more uniform. I really like the colors available, plus the low wattage and heat. A friend has a 72" triple mh/cf fixture and recently got a t5 for another tank...he loves the t5's so much he's trying to find a new t5 fixture to replace his mh. That said, you will find many people who swing the other way. I like the low heat and low watts, and nice selection of bulbs to tailor my tank.

 

[Scoobaman17]

I was taking a look on reefgeek at their ati PM fixtures as well as the sunpower fixtures and they both have 48" 6x54W lamps. My tank is 5' long by 18"wide by 20" high. The Grim Reefer said that 8 lamps would be overkill since it would put too much over the back and the front but I will in a few years be upgrading to a larger tank so should I go with 8 or is 6 just plenty for my tank? Only the PM comes with 8 lamps option where the sunpower fixture only comes with up to 6

 

[hansmatt]

my 6 bulb is on an 18" wide tank, and I wouldn't want it any wider...(mine is a peninsula)...there would be more spillover, and it's more than bright enough, and my tank is deeper so you will be bright! When I get a wider tank, I'll sell & upgrade to a wider one. Thinking about a 60"x 24/30 wide x 24 high...figure it'll have to be custom.
I like the PM look