lighting question help!!

[devilsgreed11]

hello i am about to start a 155 bow tank as a reef i am having trouble with the lighting . i am planning on getting 2 175 watt metal halide pendants with 20k bulbs on the sides with a 250 watt pendant 20k in the middle. as you all know the 20k bulb is very bluish in color. is it necessary for me to get actinic bulbs like a t5 retrofit kit ?? since corals need the blue light to feed on would the 20k bulb be good for them. just need to clear my head and would like to know from some reef experts thanks MR.

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

Well im not an expert on light but MH pull out alot of heat and will bring up you eletric bill too. IMO you should set your mind on T5's or L E D's =)

 

[Arati]

I ran 20k radiums for years , there is no need for additional lighting.

however it is nice to the view the tank with just a couple blue plus bulbs on it. I think the 1 hr dusk is my favorite time to view the tank.

so is it needed ..no , is it awesome... yea .

you could use LEDs too, now I run all t5's I plan to use LEDs for dawn/dusk

 

[devilsgreed11]

leds are a little over my budget on lighting lol. if i could find a nice 6 foot t5 fixture i would get it but for a 155 bow halides seemed like a logical choice.

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

leds are a little over my budget on lighting lol. if i could find a nice 6 foot t5 fixture i would get it but for a 155 bow halides seemed like a logical choice.

What would be a good price for you on leds thou?

 

[devilsgreed11]

my budget on lighting is around 700 . i know your not supposed to have budgets in this hobby :tired: and the tank is 6 ft long so leds would be costly

 

[devilsgreed11]

what kind of t5 fixture would you recommend for this kind of tank

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

Oh k

 

[bigcapct]

Tek t5s!!!!!

Dnt drink the water ,fish have sex in it

 

[kalapnath]

For $700 you can do a diy led..........
http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/StoreFront

 

[turkvr4]

I would definitly go with a DIY led ,I have tek t5's but will be going with the led's in the fall.