Two MH systems which is best?

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I have used Aqualight Pros for over a year now & love them, especially the mix of bulbs (like having built in moonlights).

No experience with the other lighting system but it sounds like a really nice setup, with 2 250w mainlights & 2 150w blues. You could always add on moonlights to your setup. The main advantages of this system would seem to be the narrower dimensions make getting inside your tank more convenient & having the blue shimmer (20000k MH) instead of PC actinics.

Anthony

[Justusfish]

Seahorse. Thanks for the feedback. I like hearing the specifics as to the pros and cons so it can help me make a more informed decision.

[Pescador]

I have Aquamedic fixtures and they have been pretty good, there are probably cheaper alternatives.

But definitely T-5's over PC for actinic, I tried a lot of different PC actinic bulbs and they all just looked blue to me not fluorescing like NO or HO.

Maybe there are better bulbs for them now but I never found a good one.

I like the look of the 150w 20k as well especially at dawn/dusk.

[Justusfish]

so far the aquarmedic is winning in feedback with the slimmer profile and the 150MH creating a great shimmering blue

[Funky_Fish14]

I'd vote aquamedic as well.

Not sure quite how much light you are looking for, but you dont quite need a high intensity light in your tank if you just have the fish and rock. You could do something like 2 x 250 W Halides and then play around with accent lighting for the fish's colouration. If you were going for a dimmer look you could even do just 3x 150W halides, or, use VHO's or a few HO T5's. Just a heads up!

Chris

[Justusfish]

Oops, I meant to put reef tank. Hence the larger amount of watts. I want both soft and hard coral

[Pan]

For actinic suplemation i prefer vho as opposed to pc, never tried t-5 though...that is if you go with 10k bulbs, i think xm 10k's with some vho actinic suplemation is the best (for coral growth and for viewing pleasure)

[Funky_Fish14]

Originally Posted by Justusfish

Oops, I meant to put reef tank. Hence the larger amount of watts. I want both soft and hard coral

Then completely disreguard my post!

I'd definetly consider T5's. They are a great 'low-wattage' option for all your lighting, or just supplemental. I have 2 x 48" T5's.. 10K, and those two alone over my tank are INSANE for light... You want to make sure they are HO(High output) though, and that they are in single bulb reflectors.

Chris

[Pescador]

Here I think

Originally Posted by Justusfish

Oops, I meant to put reef tank. Hence the larger amount of watts. I want both soft and hard coral