Which Light? Hamilton Cebu Sun or ATI T5

[Fishdisease]

Hey Everyone,

I have a 6' long 180 and I'm looking for a light. I'm deciding between the Hamilton 6' Cebu Sun (3 x 250W) and the 60" 8-bulb ATI fixture. I can get them both for the same price (I already have 3 MH ballasts I can use with the Hamilton assuming they still work) but I'm not sure which one to get. Heat is a minor concern but shouldn't play into the equation (I'm in a basement in eastern Canada where it only gets 85F+ a few weeks). I want to keep a mixed reef and not be limited in what I can have growing in the tank. I want things to thrive, not just survive.

I'm leaning towards the ATI as it's a plug and play and the Hamilton will require me to wire in the ballasts (but that's not hard, just an annoyance). Also, the cost of the ATI bulb replacement is much lower as it's just 8 x T5 so ~$250 (ATI) vs $~420 (Hamilton).

Is the ATI suitable and the Hamilton overkill? Or is the ATI minimal and the Hamilton superior? Nothing but good reviews on both so it's hard to decide.

 

[Ocelaris]

I love my ati t5, 6x80, but I miss the shimmer of halides. Metal halide is still my favorite, but consider a chiller a requirement if you go that route in a basement. Either is a great choice,take some pics when you get them set up.

 

[deedubz]

I have a 48" Cebu sun that was over my 55g and will go over my 60x30x24 180g. I absolutely love it. I may add a couple reefbrite strips for ramping up and down though.

 

[DSC reef]

Can't go wrong with either fixture. For me, I really like seeing glitter lines in the tank so I'd choose the hamilton. Both are really great fixtures though.