Which lighting fixture???

[reice05]

I'm kinda stuck on what fixture I want to get, at the moment I got a 75g with a Nova Extreme Pro 6x54w T5 fixture. My plans in the near future ( 3-4 months) is to upgrade to a 120g 48x24x24 tank so whatever fixture I decide to get I want it to be able to work on the 120 as well so I'm not having to buy another fixture. The 2 fixtures I'm considering is an ATI Sunpower 6x54w T5 fixture and the other fixture is a Giesemann Neptune Pro 2x250mh/2x54w T5. Both are used fixtures and are around the same in price, so what you guys think??

[Kache]

I like sun system tek light fixtures. IMO

[Saltwatercoral2]

You should just buy Metal Halides, with a 24 inch tall tank, T5's have a little trouble hitting the bottom of the tank..

[Floowid]

I would get the halide fixture if it were me. The 120 is about 3 inches taller and the penetration of the 250w halides will be excellent.

BUT

You could also get the ATI and place your Nova AND the ATI on the tank for 12 T5 bulbs.

Either way, that's a lot of light.

[James404]

+1 on MH, then you can keep whatever you want in that tank and not have to worry.

[Saltwatercoral2]

I learned the hard way, I had more people suggesting T5's to me, instead of metal halide, so I went with the T5's, since then I have upgraded to MH's and wouldnt every switch back.

[James404]

I learned the hard way, I had more people suggesting T5's to me, instead of metal halide, so I went with the T5's, since then I have upgraded to MH's and wouldnt every switch back.

I am going through the same thing right now, bought T5's originally but now I am totally in love with SPS so in the process of switching to MH. Still need to buy one more reflector and one more bulb and I'm set!

[moevilla]

What about LEDs? I currently have metal halides, but I am considering a fixture with 3x36watt (6k) cree led bulbs with 2x5 watt blue supplementation. Not into the 'black light' look so not going with a lot of blue. Cost will be between $325 - $350.

[reice05]

I think LED's is out my price range

[joemelo]

I think their are plenty of guys on here to prove the metal halide theory wrong... as far as people who grow sps with t5's

you can definitely keep sps with t5's
a 90 gallon is 24" tall and I know plenty of people with 6 and 8 bulb t5 fixtures that can keep sps anywhere in their tank...

I mean sure you can get halides with way more wattage compared to t5's but it also comes with a price difference to buy the fixtures and ballasts; and run the hydro.

[Scuba Steve]

I second that. Most of the people I know run T-5's. From 600,300,240,180,and 125's. All have really good growth!

[Kache]

I agree IMO t-5 are better and less heat issues.

[ahullsb]

I'm out of the hobby now, but have a 48 inch outer orbit that I'm looking to sell. Feel free to PM me if you have any interest.

It is 2 150 watt metal halides and 4 t5's, with 18 moonlights. I always thought it was a pretty cool all-in-one fixture.

[reefsurfing]

I currently own a Sunpower 6x54 and it is an amzing light. Sometimes I feel it puts off too much light as I have cooked a few SPS just 4 inches from the BOTTOM of my 90 gallon AGA. Start all your corals in the SAND since it is that intense and yes I do reccommend T5's but only if its ATI.

[MCCOOL]

ATI all the way, it will have absolutely no problem penetrating 24" of water. I'm surprised people are still claiming t5's are inferior to halides, that has been disproved countless times on this board by a ton of people.

an ATI fixture is capable of bleaching corals on the bottom of the tank if not properly acclimated.

[cirionrc]

I got a 48" Sunlight Tek 8x54w. Insanely bright. I am just running 4 bulbs right now and is still bright. It has individual reflectors for each bulb which I think makes the biggest difference. For the money, I say this one. ATI is awesome which I was originally going to get, but a lot more expensive. I have a picture a few threads up about enough live rock question. But, I am kinda new to reefing so maybe not. I have always had Fowlr tanks so just getting into lighting experimentation. I was told this unit is more than enough for sps and so bright can cause bleaching so have to adjust the PAR if using all 8 bulbs.

[IslandCrow]

I don't think the ATI is going to have any trouble reaching down to the bottom of a 24" tank. My Teks did a better job than most 250W halides getting down to 16", and the ATIs are much more powerful lights. I didn't even know Geissman was making fixtures, so I can't talk to that one. I'd take your question over to the equipment and lighting forum and ask Grim Reefer. Look for his T-5 Q&A Thread. Assuming it's still going strong, he was checking it very regularly.

Now, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with metal halides. They're well proven technology, but I've noticed many people who say T-5s don't have sufficient penetration capability for larger tanks have never used a decent T-5 setup.