150 gallon aquarium 72" Suggestions Needed!

[jtfishman]

I have a 150 gallon saltwater aquarium with just two 36" low grade double tube florescent light hoods. I have been having troubles with both lighting units for a long time now, and I have been replacing the four bulbs it takes about once a month, which adds up to about $100 a month because the lights seem to go bad right away. So I am looking at purchasing a new 72" light, but I am overwhelmed with all the choices. I do not know which light to get or anything. I just have fish, snails and hermit crabs in the tank now, no corals, but possibly would like to have some in the future. I would like a light that has built in LED lunar lights too. I am looking for a good quality light fixture that will last. price range I am looking for is around $400-$600. Please give me some suggestions on lighting. Thanks!

 

[wangotango]

Well a quality 72" all-inclusive unit for less than $600 is going to be hard to find.
The cheapest way to go would be a retrofit kit. (3) 175 or 250w halides with some sort of actinic supplimentation would be a good way to go.
Another good option is T5ho. Icecap has some nice kits available.
-Justin

 

[jtfishman]

Aquatic Life Light 72" Compact 4 Lamp 6 Lunar
[AL420052]
$535.99
Aquatic Life Light 72" Compact 4 Lamp 6 Lunar Designed in a contemporary shape, these Compact Fluorescent fixtures offer new features and light output only available from AquaticLife™. Timer controls Compact Fluorescent Lamps and Lunar LED's independently. Like all AquaticLife fixtures, these fixtures use a single power cord to power all lamps, making it easy to mount on the aquarium or suspend from above. Included adjustable width Aquarium Frame Mounts support fixture above the aquarium. Suspension Ports allow connection to optional cables for various mounting configurations. Lateral supports and curvature of the fixture create a durable light housing.
... Does this sound like a good light and a good price?

 

[wangotango]

Power Compacts are becomming more obsolete in the hobby. It'll work perfectly for a fish-only tank, and for soft corals. If you do plan on keeping hard corals, they're going to need to be placed towards the top of the tank.
PCs just don't have the "umph" to get all the way to the bottom of a tank that deep.
-Justin