Which light pendant would you choose?

[E.intheC]

Tank: 34 Gallon Mixed Solana. Mostly LPS and Zoanthids. Some SPS and clams.. but not many. Mostly montis.

Choice 1: 250 watt MH Reef Optix Pendant with 20,000K XM bulb. (Used) with an Icecap or Reef Optix ballast.

Choice 2: 150 MH 10000K with 2x 32 watt PC pendant, ballast, shown in following link:

http://www.marinedepot.com/Current_...nts-Current_USA-CU010551-FILTFIMHPDDE-vi.html

I can get both for about the same money. However, the second choice comes with a free hanging kit. (It's a promotional offer).

I'm concerned with color and growth. I feel heat will be handled sufficiently by evap. and adding supplemental fans on either fixture.

What would you choose, and why?

Thanks!

 

[NYreefNoob]

neither, the current 6 bulb t5

 

[E.intheC]

There are two problems (for me) with that fixture. Right now, there's no other manufacturers (besides current) that offer 18 inch T-5's, so replacement will be difficult, and there's no lighting options. I feel if I went T-5 I'd want to be able to use ATI or similar quality bulbs.

Second, I like the idea of hanging a pendant fixture better than the larger T-5 setup.

Don't get me wrong; I do like the 6x18 watt T-5 setup, but I'm leaning toward the MH's for now.

If other brands would make bulbs in that size, (or other fixtures in general), I'd be right on that.

 

[mr_X]

i like choice number 2. i would use an ushio 14k lamp with it though.

 

[jackson6745]

I like the 250w 20k.

 

[NYreefNoob]

if staying with mh the 250w with a helio 20k bulb. and you can hang the current t5 also, had the solano 150w dome pendent on the same tank the current t5 was brighter and looks better, chief uses the current also, hopefully by the time bulbs will need replaced others will have them