please help he head is going to explode

[backcountry]

im wanting to start a reef tank and i cant decide on lighting
main goals are
i want corals to grow not just live
and have shimmer effect
i would like to go with led lighting but some say they will not work for reef and other say they will i have read so much my head hurts
i like led then i might not have to get a chiller
the tank is going to be no smaller than a 75
im going to build a stand and lights will be in a canopy im going to make
and advise would help out a ton
thanks guys and gals

 

[flower]

Welcome to the site!
The only thing that creates that shimmer are Metal Halides. Which also are the best for corals, which, if they are light needy thrive under MH lighting.
T5s and LEDs run cooler and I also have heard that you can keep coral very well with them...but no shimmer effect.
If you run a fan, raise the lights up off the tank you will be fine. I have no issue with too much heat. Most corals and fish prefer the heat around 82-84. We keep our tanks around 78 to fight algae, but with the right CUC (Clean Up Crew) snails and such, algae is very well controlled in a reef tank.
I have a canopy over my 90g tank, I removed the top hinged lid and hung my lights on a pulley system which makes taking care of such a big tank easier for me. I like the finished look of the canopy and yet my tank is open for good gas exchange.
Whatever system you choose, we are here to help. LOL...you will get a ton of suggestions. I love this hobby and hope you enjoy it too.

 

[backcountry]

thanks looks like im going to go with a mh lighting snice im building the hood ill probley get a retro fit kitwith mk t5 and a few led the pics i have seen of them makes the tank look better next question is how many and what sive mh 1 250 or 2 150 and the swee in kind or double ended hqitanks again

 

[novahobbies]

LEDs produce a good shimmer effect.....I have a DIY 9 watt over my 12g tank that gives off plenty o shimmer. (9 watts no good for coral, but acceptable for FOWLR)

 

[monsinour]

LEDs produce excellent shimmer effects. There are plenty of videos out there that show the shimmer effect that LEDs produce.
Get the 3 watt Cree LEDs and build yourself a great set of lights that wont need maintenance for 5 years.

 

[backcountry]

ok there is going to be 2 hqi (not sure 150 or 200 watt)and 4 t5 what color should i use to get the corals to really popquick question are hid or hqi betterthanks for all the help