ATI T5 vs Radium 250W MH

[jpkrze]

Need help choosing the best light setup for my 70cube.

Tanks is 30L - 30W - 18H
Bare bottom, open top, all SPS

Looking at two options.

24" ATI Powermodule - 6 T5
250 W Radium Metal Halide ( not sure what fixture / ballast ? )

Looking for pro/cons of each. Chiller is not an option but I dont think heat will be an issue with my size tank?

[nanojg]

Front to back coverage will be tough with the pm, bulb replacement will be more expensive as well. I'd go with a 250 mh with a lumenarc reflector

[TreyK]

Im a huge proponent of the ATI Fixtures but unless you go with the 24 inch 10 bulb, I would go with the MH.

[solitude127]

For bulb replacement, the Radium get my vote. But color wise, the PM gets my vote you can customize to the color you're looking for. Growth wise, the PM get my vote as well because of better coverage

[r0ck0]

Heat will be an issue. You may get by with a fan or two. A smaller tank will heat and cool faster. T 5 or led you can get by with a fan, MH you will most likely need a chiller.

[jpkrze]

Color wise, Im pretty easy to please. Either 14K or 20K works for me. Solitude -Growth would be less with the MH ? Is the PAR the same with both fixtures? Tank is only 18" deep so penetration isnt a concern. Coverage is key...I need to light up the two reef walls on the sides of the tank.

Any suggested MH setups? Im much more familiar with T5s

[nanojg]

Heat will be an issue. You may get by with a fan or two. A smaller tank will heat and cool faster. T 5 or led you can get by with a fan, MH you will most likely need a chiller.

No

[nanojg]

Color wise, Im pretty easy to please. Either 14K or 20K works for me. Solitude -Growth would be less with the MH ? Is the PAR the same with both fixtures? Tank is only 18" deep so penetration isnt a concern. Coverage is key...I need to light up the two reef walls on the sides of the tank.

Any suggested MH setups? Im much more familiar with T5s

Coverage and par will be no problem with a lumenarc reflector and quality ballast

[solitude127]

Color wise, Im pretty easy to please. Either 14K or 20K works for me. Solitude -Growth would be less with the MH ? Is the PAR the same with both fixtures? Tank is only 18" deep so penetration isnt a concern. Coverage is key...I need to light up the two reef walls on the sides of the tank.

Any suggested MH setups? Im much more familiar with T5s

Can you put a big MH reflector of the tank?

[r0ck0]

No

Yes