Need answer today please on lights for 210.

[doodle1800]

Ordered a 210 gallon for a dental office. Have not ordered lights yet. Need to make a decision. Full reef tank, fish and LR, Soft Corals.
3 - 175 watt Halides with 2 96 watt actinics.
or
6 bulb Fluorescent - 2-10k, 2 Actinic,and 2-50 50's - all 96 watt.
Personally I want a "softer" look so I am lenaing towards all fluorescent.
Anyone else have a different choice or preference?
thanks

 

[gatorwpb]

Google "Par buster Iwasaki" and read about the 15k 175w bulbs. That may convince you to go with the MH.

 

[wangotango]

You're going to want at least 250w halide bulbs IMO. 400w would be better, since 210s are pretty deep tanks.
The PC choice you listed wouldn't allow you to keep much.
-Justin

 

[doodle1800]

thanks...

 

[calaxa]

Well, you're only growing softies. You can get away with PC but MH is so much better that it's not even a real comparison. It would've been different if you compared MH to T5. At least then there would be more of a debate. If you got the budget and can tolerate the heat of MH, get the MH. They look a lot better in my opinion.

 

[kdocimo]

I personally have the constellation t-5 fixture for my 210 gallon tank and i LOVE it... it is truely an awesome light.. Dont have to worry about heat, and can keep sps, lps, and softies... I am keeping softies and lps mainly so i would highly recommend this fixture

 

[calaxa]

The only thing I don't really like about T5 is there is no shimmer effect. The light is nice and crisp but I like shadows, etc. Heat is much better than MH and even PC. Bulbs a lot cheaper too compared to MH.

 

[fishy7]

Hey Doodle
I would suggest the Current outer orbit 72" unit with T5's and 250HQI's. The 150HQI are also a good buy. My friend has the 250W unit on his 215 and WOW it looks great.
I use the coralife 72" 150HQI and actinics unit for 3 years with no issues. I have all sorts of light hungary corals
Good luck.

 

[yerboy]

Originally Posted by GatorWPB
http:///forum/post/2814350
Google "Par buster Iwasaki" and read about the 15k 175w bulbs. That may convince you to go with the MH.
no doubt , i have one and it makes my 250w look like a punk.

 

[devil dog]

I run three 400w 14k MH on my 210 with no Actinic...