Lighting for 72 gallon Bowfront/20 gallon sump

[sharuq1]

forgot to add:
-more choices in bulb color
-not having to swear when the pins get stuck and break the whole dang bulb making it useless for re-use in other setups where bulb age doesn't matter (hypothetical fowlr, my cichlid tank, etc)
-more flexibility: people have had both sps and clams under t5 successfully
-nice even spread of light (less dark spots)
-if you change your mind and put mh on later you might be able to re-use these for supplemental lighting
-just look at some of the success these bulbs have had over some of the european setups, these definitely give mh a run for their money (seeing those pics is one of the things that really won me over on the t5's)

And as a last side note some of the folks on canreef run t5's. I know mr.alberta does and he could tell you all about it.

[sharuq1]

and lastly....
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/totm/index.php

[Canuckgod420]

I have the bow front 72...and I would never give up my 2 MH 250watt bulbs, great light output....plus I grow SPS on the bottom of the tank.
Heat has been eliminated with 2 small 4" fans, no problems.

P.S
I even have a completely sealed hood over my tank.....the 2 fans make quick work of the heat. I do have a chiller but its not even plugged in during the winter months....I of course have to use it in the summer when the room is over 90 degrees.

[sharuq1]

As another plus for the mH, if you upgrade your tank you are less likely to need to upgrade your lighting. You know for sure you can grow whatever you may want under mH.

[jslaney]

Thanks for asking this question as I have the exact same setup and was wondering the same thing.

I also have a 4' CF light strip that I will be supplementing with iether a clip on or pendent 150W MH.

I dont expect to be able to grow sps every where in my tank but I think it should be addequate for most LPS.

After reading everyones replys I am thinking of maybe switching my CF to T5.

I will have to see how easy it would be to modify the current CF light strip I have.

I think at least one metal halide is important due to that really cool shimering effect it gives.

Good luck and post what you finally decide as I would like to see what you chose.

Jon.

[Whatigot]

so many choices...
I have a question though based on what I've just read...
Is it really that beneficial to add actinic lighting to a 14k MH setup or is it a choice that is more based on the appearance?