WAY TO GO BRETT lol, Well i have been looking around for the led's and they are quite nice. DO I or Dont I.
G2 MAX

MAXSPECT G2-230 LED Aquarium Lighting Dimensions: 32" x 7.25" x 2.5"

Includes:

• 4 30w 16000k 30w LED's
• 15 3W 12000k LED's
• 15 3w Royal Blue LED's (445-460nm)
• 8 3w Violet(403nm)
• 4 .1w Moonlight LED's

• 4 Channel Lighting Timer

• Lamp-Temp indicator

• Over-Temp Protection

• Hanging Kit

• Tank Mount Kit
• I would need 2 of these I believe they are around the $950 mark.

Vertex
TO MUCH $$$FOR ME :sad:

Ecoxotic Panorama 23.5" LED System w/Stand Mount Accessory Pack

Ecoxotic Panorama LED Fixture
Say hello to LED lighting technology and say goodbye to the headaches of supporting your tank. Imagine lighting so bright it supports your reef tank, but without the heat.

It’s a simple idea: get rid of the heat and get rid of the cooling fans and other unsightly components sitting around your tank. All that’s left is a sleek fixture, floating beautifully above your tank.

Tank Stand Mount and all hardware included.
Create a custom fit for virtually any tank. The Panorama is available in two sizes, 17.5" and 23.5", and is designed to install individually or in multiples for total flexibility while maintaining the super sleek appearance. Use the pull down menu below to find the fixture set up that’s right for you. All aluminum construction- recyclable and will not damage in shipping
Specs

• Cooling Fans 0
• dB Noise Level 0
• Heat transfer to aquarium 0
• Patents pending

Included

• Panorama Fixture
• Stand Mount including hardware
• UL GFCI grounded cord
• 453nm Stunner LED Strip Light
• 24V Stunner Transformer and 3-way splitter
• EcoCham cleaning cloth
• ON SALE FOR 599.00 so I would need 4 of these.

Mike you were thinkin' DIY LED earlier. So you've got your eye on something entirely new yet again man =)

I was joking about the flatulence thing but hey...you could pave the way!

lol lighting has always been a pain in the butt

I say go for 4x250w halides.

I think the LEDs are just too new to the market yet, and I personally would not drop the big bucks on them until they have been proven over a decent amount of time (5+ years?). Look at the PFO Solaris all they did was burn everyone's pocketbook, call me a bit leary after that one! The technology has been there for awhile, but time have given us better design. I still think they have a way to go. Besides, I think the price will drop significantly in the next 3 years.

I wouldn't DIY the LEDs either. That's not a backyard Joe DIY project, you need to know what you're doing with the soldering iron or you're just making yourself a big mess.

I totally agree with Myka on the LED thing. It's all good to have novelties like lightning storms and cloud effects but in the end you are looking for useful light. Metal halides will give you the light you need at a fraction of the cost of LED. Lighting technology is changing so quickly that the poor guy paying thousands of dollars for the latest Vertex fixture is going to be left with something they are going to have to practically give away to get rid of when they want to upgrade because every new generation of fixture is going to offer more for less. Yes they are more energy efficient but look how much extra you have to pay up front, that's a heck of a lot of electric bills to make up the difference. LED is can be justified on a nano tank where the cost is not as insane and the benefit of less heat makes a huge difference, but on your tank heat certainly won't be an issue. Spare yourself the headache buddy, don't spend $4K to $5K on something that you'll be lucky to get a thousand bucks for a year from now.

true just getting opinions here and trying to find another set of 250 ballasts to buy and reflectors

Psssst.. LEDs are the way :mrgreen:


Steve

You've probably taken a look already, but check out
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/jb/index.php

They tested almost every MH combo with 250W bulbs and took pics even. Shows par ratings, etc. good for seeing what you're getting into before buying $400 worth of bulbs