Is this as good a deal for lighting as it sounds??

[cufishfan]

I have a 75g Oceanic tank with PCs on it now, and I've been planning to upgrade. I was planning to go with T5s (most likely 4X54 W Current USA Nova Extreme- has individual reflectors). Then I saw this:
"442 watt metal halide / Power compact light fixture. 250 wall double ended MH with 2x96 watt power compacts. Also has a built in fan and 8 LED moonlights. Fixture is about 1 year old and purchased from aqua deal. It has a 14k phoenix MH bulb with about 8 months use in it. I also have an old 10k bulb i can throw in as well. Seperate switches / plugs for all lights / fan.
Fixture measures 35" x 15" x 3" (length, width, height). This fixture works perfectly and has been great for me."
So all you lighting experts

, what's your take?? I only have a few mushroom frags right now, and I wasn't planning on SPS.. just some LPS and softies.
I know MH generates more heat, are they less energy efficient also?
And price upkeep- these MH are $175, the T5s I found are about $250 new, with shipping. I know t5 bulbs last about a year and are pretty reasonable to replace. What about MH?
And with either fixture, can I keep my glass tops on? Right now, my PCs just lie on my glass tops which helps out the heaters and muffles the sound of the overflow.
Thanks!!

 

[lion_crazz]

What is the asking price for the fixture? That will tell you if it is a good deal.

 

[cufishfan]

For the MH fixture described, $175. But I'm guessing I'll have to replace the bulb (about 8 months old). And I want to factor in a rough estimate of energy costs.
Thanks!

 

[lion_crazz]

That's a very good deal then! You gotta figure another $80 for a new bulb, and maybe another $40 for new PCs. So the real cost is $295. Still, you are saving about $300-$400 on the light fixture by buying it used.

 

[cufishfan]

It sounded like it was pretty good... Is it ok to have a single 250 w MH bulb for the tank?
Also, how would this compare energy consumption-wise with T5s? And how long does a MH bulb last compared with T5?
And what about my glass tops- can I keep them with either fixture, or am I going to have to do egg crate and learn to deal with the sound of the overflow?
Sorry for so many questions, but thanks for the quick responses!!

 

[flower]

Sounds like a sweet deal to me!
I just upgraded to MH lighting myself, and as I did my homework on them I learned that glass tops with MH lighting may cause a greenhouse effect and super heat the tank.
So I removed my glass except just below the MH bulbs to protect from moisture, and added eggcrate to prevent the fish from jumping.
I can hear the water movement more now, however I have already gotten used to it and it is no more trouble than "white noise" you learn to ignore. My water does evaporate faster. So I top off more often.
I am looking forward to being able to get any kind of coral I want. No more deep sighs saying, not for my setup.

 

[cufishfan]

Thanks Flower! I don't think I'd mind the sound of the water in the tank.. it's just my boyfriend who I'm trying live with

I'm trying to prove that he'll hardly notice it- no sound, no huge bills that come with it, no extra work for him.
Sorry to sound like a broken record, but can someone tell me about energy usage of MH? Will my electric bill shoot through the roof as compared with T5s?
And can t5s rest on a glass top? Or do they need to be mounted/suspended and use egg crate to keep the fish in?

 

[flower]

I know T5s can rest on the glass top, mine did, and so did the power compacts with no problem. I had a T5 once upon a time. They don't last long. However technology has made them a little better now I hear.
Sorry I can't help on bill info, I just upgraded to MH so my bill hasn't come yet. My bill seemed normal with the T5 and power compacts. MH lighting stuff looks scary for power usage though.

 

[turningtim]

It only has one 250?
442 watts vs 216w or if you went 6x54w T-5 324w. You will still use less than the MH. Now will you see a huge difference in your bill? Don't know?

 

[naclh2o nut]

One 250 watt M/H should use electric than 4 60 watt house bulbs. So turn off the three bulb light in the LR and now you just added one 60 watt bulb.
Note; with the M/H you will not need any more light the room.

In my house the cost of the eclectric bill is not the expense- It is the ....................... NEW CORALS that I now can keep!