upgrade lighting

[mmstillwell01]

I would like to upgrade my lights but there are so many to choose from my head is spending.
I have a 125gal 6’ long tank, that right now has a 48 inch Current USA SunDial T5 HO 4x54W w/ Timers & LED on it but I would like to go to a Metal Halide, but do I go with a fixture setup or pendants, and what watts should I be looking at. I have mostly softies in the tank right now but I would like a light that would support any coral or most coral anyway.
I would love if you can give me some feed back on lights I’ve been reading about a lot of them, but I would love to know what you guys are using.
Thank you so much.

 

[robertmathern]

Fixture or pendents are really up to you. But I would go with 3 250 watt hailides. That sundial is an ok fixture but you will be still limited on what you can keep.

 

[bw256s_srt4]

Im with rob. I have 2 250 Hailides with 14k bulbs in both of my 90gal tanks, and I can grow anything and everything.

 

[mmstillwell01]

ya I like the sundial because it's a all in one,
I have a 55gal tank that I would like to start up for a live rock and fish only tank and I thought instead of buying a new light for it I could just use the sundial on it and upgrade my 125gal tank.
3 250 watts, any good brands that you know of or any to stay away from?
thanks for the input.

 

[bw256s_srt4]

When I get home I will post what I have because I dont remember off the top of my head (at work).

 

[wangotango]

If you're looking at pendants, the Lumenarc and Lumenbrights are the best you'll find.
As far as bulbs, Ushio, XM, Radium, and Phoenix are all popular brands. I'm a fan of the 14,000K Ushios personally.

 

[robertmathern]

as far as bulbs it really depends if you are going to go se or de also but I do still agree with the above poster

 

[mmstillwell01]

I think that I'm leaning more to the pendants but do I need moon lights or the blue lights or does it really matter?

 

[robertmathern]

They are not needed. It is mostly for looks if you like the way the tank looks then leave it. Remember the old saying if it aint broke dont fix it. It does help with a dusk/dawn effect in your tank and the nightlights are nice and make the colors pop a little better. Also there is some debate on the dusk/dawn effect helps in corals spawning. Not sure how true it is.

 

[mmstillwell01]

Well the fixture I have in it now is a all in one so when I move it to my 55gal all I will have in the 125gal is what ever I buy for it.
I know when the main lights go off at night the coral start to close up I didnt know if the blue light was helping them or if I could do without them.