Which one should I get?

sharuq1 · #1 12-31-2007, 08:36 PM

I have the possible opportunity to either get a

Coralife Aqualight Pro 36" HQI

or

x2--Reef Optix III pedant for HQI 250W bulbs with IceCap 250W Electronic Ballast

This will be for my 36" bow tank, which holds either 46g or 48g of water. Little help please on choosing what to buy? Or would you do something different all-together? I want to be able to put in mixed corals and possibly a couple of clams as well. Money is a factor.

Thanks for your help and advice canreefers!!!

i have crabs · #2 12-31-2007, 08:55 PM

with the coralife you probably wont be able to keep clams without issues but 2x250w might boil your water.
the coralife would be able to keep almost everything except sps & clams and has antics and moonlights so its a nice package

mark · #3 12-31-2007, 09:19 PM

When I was looking into MHs, everything with the Optix III pendant was good.

Guess though with the Coralife you have the built in ability to run actinics and some of them have 250W MH.

scumchug · #4 12-31-2007, 10:00 PM

I ran 3 X 150 watt MH on the same tank. Heat was a major issue. When the lights came on, the chiller would follow about 3 minutes later. Even with 2 150's heat was a concern. Running 2 X 250's, your going to need a chiller, without a doubt.

skylord · #5 12-31-2007, 10:59 PM

To many unknownes...sump or not? Type of pumps...will the tank be in a basement? But....I would still choose the 2 pendants over the Corolife. The reason....you can always shut one of the pendants off on those days where heat is an issue. On a 36" tank I would probably try one 250 pendant with a couple of HO T5's. Less heat and good light combo IMO.

Scott

albert_dao · #6 01-01-2008, 12:41 AM

Skip those. Give me a call at the store before Wed

Renegade · #7 01-01-2008, 12:44 AM

I disagree about the need for a chiller with properly place fans and a proper auto-top off system heat should not be a major concern. Not enough to make me not get them anyways. i think there are many steps that can be taken to reduce heat from MH without the need for a chiller.

sharuq1 · #8 01-05-2008, 03:13 AM

So from the sounds of it, it is recommended I go t5 and not mH? Keep your opinions coming, I want to do this right the first time and not be kicking myself in several months.

Myka · #9 01-05-2008, 03:43 AM

The only reason I could think of that you might end up wishing you went MH is if you started to fancy the SPS corals. Otherwise, I think T5s are better suited to the needs that you listed.

Slick Fork · #10 01-05-2008, 06:33 AM

There is no reason whatsoever that SPS cannot do well with t5 lighting. If you have doubts, search RC for the many many pictures of sps dominated reefs with nothing but T5 lighting over top.

The issue you'll have with MH's on a 36" tank is that 1 bulb isn't quite enough and 2 is probably a little too much in terms of coverage. The t-5 fixture will give you much more versatility in a smaller package. I have a 36" teklight that I'm going to put over my 33 gallon and am quite pleased with it.