Lighting Questions

[jeffltodd]

I posted this in the Equipment Forum, but there was no response -

Currently I have PC's (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ES53106) over my 72 gal bowfront, but considering upgrading to MH.

I have no idea what I'm looking at when considering lighting, so I have no interest or time to deal with DIY projects. I would much rather buy it out of the box and plug it in.

Previously with my lights, I kept an Open Brain with no problems and kept RBTA with no problem.

I would like to be able to pretty much not limit myself in what I can have - I want to get some of the more interesting corals and clams too.

What would suggestions be? I am considering the Aqualight Pro (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ES53506). Any other recommendations?

[keefsama2003]

Could also go with one of the T5 hoods setup with like 8 bulbs. less electricity and you should still be good in your 72

[bertoni]

The AquaLight seems to get reasonable reviews. It should be pretty good. If you want a more efficient setup, you could consider getting a retrofit kit or some more efficient pendants. That'd be a bit more DIY, though. I would expect more light and possibly lower energy cost, depending on your choices.

[Avi]

If heat is an issue because you don't have a chiller, than I'd recommend these. I have them and though I do have a chiller now, before I got it because of other factors, these are really amazingly cool and there is little or no heat transfer directly to the tank at all:

http://www.aquactinics.com/Products/MH_T5_Systems.htm

[Deadeye]

I just ordered two 250 watt icecap metal halide pendants for my 75 gallon. Then I got two box's you wire the ballast's into. Got it all from premium aquatics. I hear it is really easy to wire and there easier to manage then fixtures, plus you can raise and lower them, just hang them from the ceiling. I was in the same boat and looking at fixtures, but a lot of people I talk to swear by pendants. I like the advantages of them, and if I goto a longer tank later I can use these and get one more later, say for like a 125 gallon. Plus most fixtures I was looking at only came with 150 watt halides.