Opinions on light upgrades

[twelvefive]

I currently have Ecoxotic LED's on my system (6ft 125). I got the PAR reading yesterday and it's pretty terrible, so I'd like to upgrade, but I don't have a ton of cash to do so. I'm assuming I could sell my lights for $300ish (they are less than a year old and that's half the price of their new cost). Should I switch to MH's? Go a different route with LED's (if this is the route, I'd have to have a quick turnaround after selling mine, because I have some sps and lps in the tank.

Someone local is selling his MH setup for $100. Would this in 4ft be enough for my tank to grow anything I want or would I need something else? I could also just add this unit to my current LED setup.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Captive_Sun_Deluxe_Hood_Lighting_System_24_to_25_Inch_Single_Ended_Metal_Halide_Fixtures-Captive_Sun-CP4112-FILTFIMHTFSE-vi.htm[URL="http://www.marinedepot.com/Captive_Sun_Deluxe_Hood_Lighting_System_24_to_25_Inch_Single_Ended_Metal_Halide_Fixtures-Captive_Sun-CP4112-FILTFIMHTFSE-vi.html"]l



[/URL]I'm not super knowledgeable with all of this lighting stuff.

 

[twelvefive]

Nobody knows anything about metal halides around here?

 

[TallShow]

Metal halides are good grower lights. You'll see the problem with them in your electric bill though. I used to have them, and now I'm currently using those Ecoxotic LEDs as well.

I'm looking into purchasing a Reef Breeders Photon LED system. My friend saw a major drop in his electric bill after he got one, plus they're programmable to however you want, which is great for the tank.

 

[twelvefive]

How many ecoxotics are you running and what size tank? Would I be better off with t5's? Would two 48" t5ho's at 55w be enough to supplement what I have or should I get a 4 bulb fixture?

 

[twelvefive]

I was looking at hoppy's chart, and if it's correct, it would add 90 par at sand bed... that doesn't seem right for just two bulbs, but Idk.

 

[Reefing Madness]

DIY Metal Halides @250w using 3 of them.
Metal Halide and 48" VHO Aquarium Fixtures Retro Fit | eBay
MH Adv 72" Metal Halide T5 LED Aquarium Light Marine Coral Reef 6 ft 3X 250W | eBay
Custom Sea Life 6ft Metal Halide and Power Compact Light Fixture | eBay
I still use Halides myself.

 

[Tab28]

I had mh for years and went to led because od heat issues. I gave switched hack less than a year. I friend has s coral shop and has ecotech on display tank and said after a year in they were no better than the cheaper led he uses on the back tanks. So not sure if paying more for led means you get a better system. I paid $600 for my set and ran half tank with the fixture and the other half with mh. The led site looked great for some corals but some just not at all. The mh site everything grew.

If you dont like the color of a mh it is easier to replace a bulb. Led for me always seemed like a trial and error. Too expensive for that.


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