Which is better set-up?

[alexmir]

I am probably going to have to downsize my tank soon, and decided to set up my own nano tank, rather than buy one.
It is a 26 gallon bowfront, 24 inches wide.
I can either do a lighting set-up with 4 t-5 bulbs which would be 96 watt
Or a clamp on MH which is 150watt.
What do yall think would be a better set up? the t-5 would be better for temp. and would be able to keep them on longer, and get better light color. BUT, i like the shimmer of MH.........

thanks for your opinoin.

 

[rebelprettyboy]

Id roll with the Halides...

 

[alexmir]

Only bad thing about the MH is that there are no alternate lights, if i run the halides for 7 hrs a day, then i will have a dark tank for 17 hrs a day......With the t-5's i can turn one or two off when i want.
You think i could keep the SPS i want under the t-5's?

 

[rebelprettyboy]

How deep is a 26 bow?
What size tank do you have? I thought u had a pretty big tank 150?

 

[alexmir]

The 26 gallon bowfront is 24"W 14" deep and 20" tall. I am going to have about a 3 inch sandbed, so its only going to be around 15 of water, because its going to have an overflow.
Nope, i dream of having a 150, but i have a 60 gallon corner bowfront.

I am keeping my nice coral that i cant part with, and selling the stuff that i like, but wont have room for.

 

[alexmir]

I was just looking, and i could do 3of the t-5 fixtures, which would be 6x24 watt bulbs. But i would much rather just do 4 of the bulbs.

 

[rebelprettyboy]

Do you already have the t5s? If not do they not coming in more wattage for the 24' fixtures?
Or a halide fixture with t5s or pcs with a halide bulb? I have a 250 watt over my 30 gal with two 65 watt actinic bulbs

 

[rebelprettyboy]

im sure if the t5s had indiv reflec ud be able to keep SPS.. not sure how far down ud be able to keep them though

 

[alexmir]

The bulbs do not come in higher wattage, The only t5 fixtures that are 24" hold just 4 bulbs, not 6.
I was looking at some of the MH/pc combos. Just dont want too much heat.
The 250MH with dual pc's isnt too much for a 30 gallon???

 

[rebelprettyboy]

nah I love it. and all the corals seems to love and the SPS are doing great in the tank. I had a 10k bulb, but recnetly switched to a 14k. But i did have heating issues esp being in Texas. but a bought a fan to blow across the surface and havent had a problem since. Temp stays between 78-80

 

[alexmir]

Awesome, i bet it SUPER bright, i can imagine the SPS do love it! I am thinking i may just go with the 150 watt MH fixture. Now i have to decide if i want to spend 2oo on the clamp on fixture, or 230 on the really pretty solona brusned aluminum fixture........Decisions, decisions.

 

[rebelprettyboy]

haha yeah it is pretty bright...

 

[alexmir]

Do you have a pic of it when its lit up? i can imagine it lights up thewhole room.

my 150 with dual 96 pc's lights up the living room. Seems like you could keep SPS anywhere in that tank

 

[rebelprettyboy]

lol I dont have a pic of the room with it on, but the 10 k was way bright. The 14k isnt as bad, but it is still bright...

 

[alexmir]

Anyone else have a similar setup and have any input??