Augment the Kessils with a T5 fixture or switch to MH?

[i_declare_bankruptcy]

I have a reefer 350 that is only a few months old. Some corals are from a previous tank that was a year old (been moving a lot). Neither tank has been growing or coloring up coral particularly well... partly because still getting established, but also because I think I've consistently skimped on lighting. Previous tank was a 40b with 2 Primes and I know that wasn't enough... new tank is 48x20x21 with 2 A360x and while I can get enough PAR in the tank, it doesn't feel like the right PAR. With the lights adjusted for the correct spread, I can hit around 300 at the top of the tank and ~90-120 at the bottom (depending on where), but the tank looks visibly dim from all the shadowing and I'm wondering if the corals are getting enough or the right kind of light.

I am currently keeping a bunch of LPS with a few easy SPS towards the top. I've realized that this isn't at all enough light if I want to try keeping acropora or other SPS, and a magnifica at some point -- and I wonder, like every other reefer, if I could get better growth with a different lighting setup:

36" Hybrid T5 w/ 2 A360x

OR

2x 250W SE or 150W DE Metal Halide?

They both would cost the same, but I could recoup it all by going MH and selling my Kessils. I could also add a third Kessil to the mix but I'm not sure that's what I want to do at this point.

I'm currently leaning towards the metal halide setup since it's something I haven't tried before and I want to explore it. The heat generally shouldn't be an issue (might have to reduce photoperiod during heatwaves), and I can afford the extra energy spent. I've read and I'm aware of the pitfalls of MH.

Seems like some people have been going back to MH and there's saying that MH just works -- I find that attractive and I'm tired of fiddling with LEDs. Plug and play sounds nice at this point.

Curious what everyone's thoughts are for a mixed reef; SPS at the mid-top, LPS mid-bottom? If you would go MH, what wattage and reflectors would you suggest?

 

[Doctorgori]

I’m augmenting Kessils with T5’s now ....
Love MH, ate that heat

 

[MJ in Boise]

Go MH. careful though, once you come to the darkside there is little hope of return. I'd put 2x250se over the top. A single 400 would likely work as well depending on the reflector.

 

[i_declare_bankruptcy]

Go MH. careful though, once you come to the darkside there is little hope of return. I'd put 2x250se over the top. A single 400 would likely work as well depending on the reflector.

1 400W? What kind of reflector would you suggest for that?

I was thinking the 36" Reefbrite 2x 250W fixture but the reflector makes me worried there will be hot spots

 

[MJ in Boise]

1 400W? What kind of reflector would you suggest for that?

I was thinking the 36" Reefbrite 2x 250W fixture but the reflector makes me worried there will be hot spots

I use ugly, functional, horticulture fixtures. Im a big fan of the sun systems super sun reflectors. If you want something pretty the reefbrite is a good choice. Most of the aquarium fixtures I've seen look like they would hot spot like crazy.

 

[i_declare_bankruptcy]

I use ugly, functional, horticulture fixtures. Im a big fan of the sun systems super sun reflectors. If you want something pretty the reefbrite is a good choice. Most of the aquarium fixtures I've seen look like they would hot spot like crazy.

The Hamilton Cozumel Sun is a 20x20x10" reflector -- 2 of those and you would have no shadows lol. This tank is kind of a science experiment so looks aren't majorly important to me. I don't even have the doors on the stand.

I was looking at the sun systems stuff (attractive price) but I was worried about 2 things:

Saltwater proofing
Reflector design for penetrating water -- seems like these reflectors wouldn't do a good job and you'd have wasted energy. What's your experience with this?

 

[MJ in Boise]

Imo hort lighting companies do a lot more research and provide a better product. The aquarium fixtures are made to just look nice and spotlight. Both do fine in a saltwater environment. My single sun system digital 250/400 covers a rubbermaid 50gal with no hot spots and very even coverage.

 

[i_declare_bankruptcy]

Ordered a Hamilton Cayman Sun 150W DE setup. I went 150 because I think 250 is going to be too much for what I am putting in the tank. I got a magnetic ballast on purpose to push the bulbs a bit harder; from my research it should provide a bit more PAR than a normal 150 SE non HQI setup. I plan to hang the reflectors from brackets on the wall and slowly lower the reflector and increase photoperiod to acclimate the corals. Using 14k hamilton bulbs but wondering if I should just order the 14k pheonix bulbs right now since everyone seems to love those.

Cheers!