Which Light?

[E.intheC]

So I have two different lights to choose from to light up my 34 gallon, mixed reef (mostly LPS, Zoas, and SPS) Solana...

I own both fixtures, and plan on selling whichever one I don't use.

Anyway..

Option A) Used Reef Optix 250 watt MH Pendant with Ice Cap Ballast.

Pros:
-Phoenix 14000K bulb looks good (IMO) on its own. Nice shimmer and good coloration.
-Can be used in a canopy provided there's enough ventilation.
-Fixture will look good under said canopy.
-Definitely sufficient light to grow any types of corals.
-Due to hanging pendant and fans, heat is not quite an issue.


Cons:
-It's Ugly on its own.
-The fixture and ballast are HOT themselves. Very hot to the touch.
-No dawn/dusk effect without adding supplemental bulbs.
-Will need to buy fans for canopy
-Will have to go through extensive light acclimation each time I buy a new coral


Option B) Used Current combo T5/MH fixture. 150 watt 10000K ushio, along with 4 x 24 watt ATI actinic T5 bulbs. (Not sure of exact specs of the bulbs)

Pros:
-Stand alone fixture
-Many different lighting options
-ATI and Ushio are good bulbs
-Dawn/Dusk effect
-Good coloration. More actinic than the Phoenix bulb alone right now. Colors pop a bit better, but I imagine the growth won't be as good.
-No need to buy/make canopy

Cons:
-Light is 24 inches, tank is 20 inches wide. This looks a bit odd, but I feel I can deal with it until I upgrade to a larger tank, especially because the light will be hung at least 6 inches above the tank.
-More expensive to replace bulbs
-Heat is a factor, unless I hang the fixture. (It's heavy as well.. so I'll need to make sure it's done right)
-More cords to plug into my controller (lol)
-"name brand" isn't as "good" as the Reef Optix, IMO.


So.. after reading all the above.. If it were you, what light would you choose?

Thanks!

 

[Wheel of Time]

From the tone as I read it of option a and b, you are clearly favoring option b. And I agree. The 24" is a bit odd, but easily overcome. The added dawn, dusk effect and lighting variety with less heat sound good to me personally. But the one big caveat Id stress is being comfortable replacing the bulbs on a regular schedule and being comfortable forking over the $$. You will spend much more on bulbs over time with option b -- and some friends of mine dont repalce their bulbs as often as they should due to the expense. all just my opinion.

Good luck. you really cant lose either choice!!

 

[jjk_reef00]

I would go with 250 watt. Better growth and great color with the phoenix bulbs.

 

[Johnny C]

Option B; Hands Down!

 

[E.intheC]

thanks for the responses everyone. That was quick!

Those are all valid points. The bulb replacement is an issue that I've been debating. I'll have to hang both of them one right after the other and do a comparison.

I'm also worried about MY ability to hang the lights. If the light weren't 25 lbs, it wouldn't be a concern, but it's a heavy light and I'm definitely inexperienced with a lot of the necessary issues. haha

Cali, I've seen your tank and it's really nice!

 

[Johnny C]

Touche... Thanks!

Get the Sunlight Supply hanging kit... will surely work. HTH

 

[E.intheC]

I have a hanging kit :lol: it's the sunpod hanging kit. It's "finding a stud in the ceiling and not creating 1000 holes in the wall" I'm worried about Haha, guess I'll just have to man up and do it... hehe


Go Bills!