recommended lighting for 75g

[thehammer]

i'm getting a 75g aquarium in a bout a week. i already have a 20g saltwater set up. i'm trying to decide between these two light fixtures:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...54W_T5_High-Output_Fixture_by_Sunlight_Supply

OR

http://cgi.ebay.ca/48-610W-Metal-Ha...ryZ46314QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

i know metal halides are better, but will this produce too much heat?

and also, this is related but not about lighting, when i upgrade, should i use ALL of the sand from 20g? or start with a completely new sand bed?

 

[The0wn4g3]

I would recommend the T5's over the halide/PC fixture, but only because it's a dual 175W. I see no reason to use halides < 250W on tanks larger than a nano. I had a dual 175W and they didn't penetrate the water near as well as my 6x 39w T5's now.
You also have to consider (if price is a concern) electricity costs, and bulb replacement costs. You could buy 3 T5 bulbs for the price of 1 brand name metal halide bulb.
Also, "too much heat" is a very relative idea. It depends on the canopy style, height, ambient temp., number of fans, etc.

Unless there is something particularly undesirable in your sandbed, it should be just fine if you use all of it in the new tank.

 

[thehammer]

hmm, thanks. well the only reason i was considering the metal halide fixture is because, it comes with moon lights as well. if i buy the T5 fixture, then ill have to set up moon lights seperately.
and i don't think ill have a canopy on my tank, the just light on top either hanging from the ceiling or with mounting legs.

 

[Ratpack]

Go with the T5's. You will be able to keep pretty much any coral you want in the tank with that fixture. Also, less heat and electricity. I have that same fixture and a 75g tank whenever I get to set it up.

 

[thehammer]

yeah, i saw iwan's (sorry if i misspelled) thread on here, his lighting is entirely T5 and his tank is amazing. I'm actually considering the T5's now, i guess i can always buy a strip of LED moonlights off ebay.

 

[The0wn4g3]

Don't buy a light fixture only for the moonlights. they are very easy to buy or make, and they are purely aesthetic.