looking for suggestions on light upgrade for Red Sea 130D

Has anyone upgraded their lighting on a Red Sea 130D. Need some suggestions?

 

I am looking at the below for my 34gal tank. Think this will be to much wattage. Other T5 units alone are only running around 100w for a 24" size hood and I want to be able to add any coral the my heart desires(taking correct research into the equation).

Marineland Pro Lighting 24-Hour Lighting System

Model Total Wattage # 150W14,000K HQI lamps # of ActinicT-5 lamps # of 1W LED
24" 246 watts 1 4-24W 2

 

could really use some opinions on the above post!!! bump

 

how deep is the tank?

 

and what exactly are you looking at? your post with the product is confusing

 

Thanks dingo... I have a feeling I know the answer but want some people with more experience to confirm. So please give me a swift kick in the ass.

link to light Metal Halide Lighting: Marineland Marine Series Pro Lighting at Foster & Smith Aquatics

Tank Dimensions (LxWxH) (24 x 20 x 23.8) current lights 2x 55w 50/50 10,000k & Actinic T5 Power compact lamps 4x Blue LED Moonlights

Have had decent success with current corals. Monti, zoas, Rics, toadstool, Acan's(added a couple weeks ago look good so far), Acropora, leathers.

 

well that fixture is going to be a DRASTIC increase in lighting intensity... but your corals should be able to take it if you acclimate them slowly. the acros can acclimate in only a few hours but for the sake of less stress and for the other softies/lps you should go slow.

Truthfully you can find a cheaper fixture or do a 150w halide with nice pendant for cheaper and you would still be on the high side for light
Or you could buy a 4 bulb t5 fixture for cheaper and still have a ton of light going into the tank!

 

I swear years ago I read that an ideal watts per gallon was 4 but can't remember what book, or I had given it away after reading. What is the ideal watts per gallon for even the hardest of corals?

I have found most of the 24" 4 bulb T5 units are still only 100 watt and I already have 110 running.

I will have to read your thread Metal Halide Q&A

Also what is your opinion on the LED units?

Chris

 

Its really not so much watts per gallon anymore. Its more about the par and depth of the tank with new current light fixtures.

 

Im LED all the way baby! if you want to talk led's i can help you out a lot!

but your system is 50 gallons... and on second thought i wouldnt go with t5, it may be slightly under PAR.

although on second thought for the halides i would go with a 250w halide because of the depth... but if you get a large lumenmax or lumenbrite reflector you will cover all of that distance perfectly! For the reflector, top of the line ballast, and a top of the line bulb you will be paying 300-400 max. if you go with a 14k or else a 20k bulb you dont have to worry about actinic supplementation