do i really need this

[highcottn1]

is every one sure that u need a metal halide light if u go for a reef cuv the one at my lfs is 600 dolars!!!

 

[viper_930]

You don't have to use halides. PC or VHOs could be enough depending on what kind of corals, anemones, and/or clams you want.
Do you already know what you want to keep in your tank?

 

[hot883]

$600, you are looking at the cheap ones.

T-5's work well and are cheaper. I have 2-48" 260w PC's on my 125. Works fine for me. You can look up my threads and see my reef.

 

[zanoshanox]

I would recomend halides usually, but it varies for different tanks. Give us some specs on the tank and your plans for it.

 

[highcottn1]

its gunna be a reef tank with different corals for example
frogspawn
toadstool
zoos
xenia
brain
candycane
no animones
and much more..
o and maby a gigas clam

 

[viper_930]

With the corals you mentioned and the gigas clam you can get away with PC or VHO lights. What size tank are we talking here?

 

[zanoshanox]

viper do you think he can pull off the clam witht he PC? Whats the trick to keeping them?

 

[viper_930]

Gigas clams are one of the least light-demanding tridacna clam, next to squamosas and derasas. IMO the tridacna clams like prestine water conditions just like SPS corals.

 

[zanoshanox]

Oh, thansk for the info, my LFS's display tank was a 180 reef that was beautiful, but it went to crap with the new owner and it looking very muggy, the only upside is their crocceas and one gigas have almost doubled in size in the past few months. Thanks, sorry for thread snatching, lol.

 

[highcottn1]

its a 46 gallon bowfront

 

[zanoshanox]

Well it isnt that deep, so you can get by with t-5's. They're great lights, cheap to run, run cool, and not very expenisve. You can get a top of the line fixture for that tank for 300$ tops.

 

[reefstar22]

T5's sound best for you. ...and yes..he is right $600 for MH's is just the tip of the ice berg... for my set up it was almost $3000.

 

[highcottn1]

wow thats a lott money thats about twice as much as my tank so far

 

[sugarfox03]

For my 150w MH I paid $300...but its for a much smaller tank, a 24 gal.

They arent cheap!! I wish I could have gone with T-5!