Help me pick my lighting upgrade plz

[ThaBeast]

The tank is an AGA 210RR (72l x 24w x29h) with 25.5" from the water surface to the top of the sand. The coral goal is lps and zoanthids with 2-3 clams on the upper portions of the rocks. Currently I have a duncan and several zoa frags kept under 6 54w t5s with individual reflectors. I can add 2 more t5 bulbs w/reflectors or add mh pendants and keep the 6 t5s I currently have. I am leaning towards de mh pendants as I like the mh shimmer and read de mhs are more efficient than se mh. My thought is to add 2 250w pendants (but I have cross braces) or a 250w pendant in the center with a 150w on each side. What do you guys think?

 

[zona322]

if this helps i am running 8 54watt t5s powered by ice cap 660 on my 125. my friend has the 215 and is running the tek 5 light if i remember right it is 14 bulb 36".
i us to like halides but found that my color is better and my growth is about the same. but i am with you i did like the shimmer but did't like all the heat problems i had with them. but good luck.

 

[xrayrider]

Go with the Halides, and use Actenic bulbs in your T5 as suplementation. I highly recomend Radiums. You can use a 250 in the center and a 150 on each end. I think Radiums only come in double ended style in the 150 watt range. I have 3 X 250 Radiums with 3 X VHO (2 six foot, and one 4 foot on an Ice cap 660). I have yet to see a T5 only tank that has as nice of color or as good of growth as I have.

 

[ThaBeast]

xrayrider-do you have any heat issues? I just added up converting my 6 54w t5s to 80watters and adding 2 for a total of 8 80w t5s...same price as adding 3 de mh retros (+/- 50 bucks)...doesn't make sense to me to spend that much on t5 unless its gonna run tons cooler than mh.

 

[noobreef408]

Well,It depends what your wanting to keep ? i have been a reefer for a bit i have ran from Power Compacts to Metal Halides to t5's IMO i got the outer orbit MH+t5 BUt i really love the combo brings out the best growth and
pop" for corals

 

[TonyB]

3 x 250w Radiums on BlueWave7 ballast and Lumenarc or Lumenbright reflectors. Plenty of PAR to keep anything alive and great color.