Help me choose my lights

Don't know where your getting that info but just take a PAR meter and throw in a tank with MH's then your T's and see for yourself. Guess if it's a mushroom xenia tank then you are good to go.

 

True True I guess your a MH guy 2 Otty

 

well then le tme ask you, Otty. Would this set be better than the 10x80(Choice 1)? even though they are cheap? It's what I can afford.

Aquarium Lightings - Metal Halide Light Fixtures - Free Gift with Light Fixture Purchase

 

my answer yes if you replace all the bulbs(there all oddecrappy), and if the ballast can run the new bulbs. which the thread on here about the ballast not being able to power the bulbs was the first time i ever heard some thing like that

 

see that's what I'm trying to avoid also, replacing stuff on a new unit. doesn't make too much sense to me. I'll stick with the 10x80's. I'll let you all know how everthing like them!

 

72†SunPod 3x150W HQI Fixture by Current USA* - AquaCave
heres a sunpod only a hundred dollars over your limit. don't know what bulbs it comes with though. how deep was your tank again?

edit on second thought don't get that, 150s only go too two feet, you want 250's they go 3 feet.

 

decided on ughhhhhhhhhhh I hate having to decide..............lol no, I'm 98% sure I'm going with #1. Otty is so set on MH's, as are others, but I can't afford to change bulbs every 6-8 mos and they are expensive........ so with that being said yep, #1 I will call the guy tomorrow. I've got my follow up for my foot in the morning so when I get home it should be 9-10 am in Cali, I'll call then. Not gonna order them from ebay, order them direct.


what flavorlol bulbs should I order? 10k,14k 20k 420(my personal fav) or 460?

 

honesly on a 72" tank I'd just do a MH setup, there isnt a great T5 rig in 72" yet and PC's wont cut it, also the MH array listed earlier was only 3x150w bulbs so I wouldnt do that unless you have a really shallow tank, you'd need 3x 250 to cut it

Aquatraders has a decent in-expensive MH setup for under 700 with bulbs, can upgrade ballasts and bulbs later but that's what I'd do

Or you can build a canopy and stagger a bunch of 36" T5's or even do 48" in a staggered offset

last suggestion would be the cheapest most likely and produce a great amount of light


Also to the par meter on T5's I'm going to buy one I'll get a good reading on my T5 tek setup after water goes in but before rock just to see what it is

 

So what you gonna get Linda. I am exited for you. A new toy. I love new toys.