which lighting to go with MH or PC?

[MayoBoy]

My advice would be NOT to get a 65 - get a 75. The 65 is 36" long (with a center brace) and the 75 is 48". The majority of mixed (MH & PC or T-5) hoods for 65 gallon tanks have one MH in the center right over the brace.

If you're set on the 36" length, get a 58 - it's almost the same size but no center brace.

 

[kbmdale]

I love my VHO's, we have it all...Softies, LPS, and SPS, good growth, great coloring!! We've thought about supplimenting with a T5 light in there though for our 75g upgrade.

 

[blange3]

I like VHO's for best color and am considering T5's with VHO actinics for my next tank, which is a 75. My least favorite for LPS colors are PC's

I haven't tried MH but it seems you have to be careful about acclimating many SPS slowly to lighting this intense. Corals like Blastos will need to be kept in the bottom of the tank.

 

[musty baby]

I have 2x400 MH over my 75. It is perfect (for me) as I built it to go over a future, deeper tank (and if you go MH this is always a possibility as well). I like the thought that I have enough light to raise anything I have the urge to pick up, and despite not acclimating anything yet I haven't had any problems with bleaching. Just plopped a couple more LPS frags in last week, and looking great.

It seems like overkill, but I couldn't be happier that I went with such intense lighting. The shimmer effect is great, too. Would be even better, I'd assume, with only one bulb rather than two.

My $.02

 

[OCDep]

yeah, if your just starting get the MH, do it right the first time and you wont have to do it again later.

 

[tangey]

I think you should go with metal halide