T5 set up or VHOs for 180 LPS tank

[FishGuy5]

I'm thinking about switching over from my MH lighting set-up to T5s or VHOs. I'm done w/ the SPS experiment....can't maintain good enough water quality. LPS is so much more foregiving and I think the MH's are a bit much for them. Anyone have any suggestions on a set-up for the 180?? Will my corals suffer from not enough light after being in MHs for so long?

 

[eagleONE]

I think you can get away with just VHOs. You can always go with T5s... just in case you decide to come back to sps.

 

[bored4long]

I can't speak from experience, but I'm currently researching my lighting options as well and T5s are more efficient than Power Compacts (less power consumption). That is reason enough for me.

I'm getting the IceCap T5 retro from reefgeek. Its about as good as T5s get. Assuming the 180 is 6 feet, you might want to consider the 5 foot T5s from reefgeek. You won't have complete 6 foot coverage, but its much cheaper than doubling up 3 footers.

 

[reefdragon1086]

use flashlights they are cool j/k

 

[xia]

If you decide to go VHO, I just got this used 72 inch VHO set up with PFO ballast that I can sell you. I was hoping to run a couple of 24" bulbs on it, but thinking about it now, the power consumption isn't very efficient to convert it that way. LMK if your interested.