need help with lighting decision

[dilligaf2797]

ok, so i've almost got it figured out, but still not sure which to go with.I have a 125 reef tank and I plan on upgrading my lighting.The problem is in not sure which fixture to go with.I'm stuck between 2 .Both have 3 150 wat M/H but 1 comes with 4 96 watt PC's , the other w/ 8 39 watt T5's.The one with the PC's has the higher wattage by about 70 watts, but I'm hearing that the T5's are much better over all for corals, useage and cost.Any input on this would be great.

 

[cannonman]

go with the one that has the T-5s

 

[reefraff]

What brand fixtures are you looking at? Without good reflectors 150 watt halides aren't a lot of light for a tank over 20" tall/

 

[vicegrip]

Originally Posted by reefraff
What brand fixtures are you looking at? Without good reflectors 150 watt halides aren't a lot of light for a tank over 20" tall/
I agree I think you would be happier with the 250 W mh.
I would also go with the T-5's. they run cooler, use less power and better lighting.

 

[dilligaf2797]

I would go w/250's but I don't want to run the risk of over heating the water.I don't want to have to buy a chiller.As far as brands of lights, I'm looking at either Outer orbit, or Aqualight.

 

[joncat24]

Use some fans blowing across the top of the tank for cooling.
The 150's should work on a 20" deep tank though. I had 175's on a 24" deep tank and they worked out fine.

 

[reefraff]

If you are going for 150 watt halides I would stick with the Aquamedics stuff if its in the budget. I had 150's over a 125 and they were right on top of the tank. Still didn't get 100PAR at the sand and that was running BLV 10K's which were about the highest output 150"s you could get at the time. Would have been enough for LPS and maybe SPS on top of the rocks but I wouldn't have tried clams.

 

[fishkid2]

go with the t-5s i had a pc fixture with 260 watts then i got a t-5 fixture with only 216 watts and it seems so much brighter now