Lighting suggestions for newb

[nrosdal]

these are not out for a month or so, but look pretty cool/not too expensive.

http://reefsupplycanada.com/cgi-bin/...anada&pc=14096

[Reef Supplies]

It all depends on what you want to spend. LED's are the best Reef invention since the invention of water ( yeah I know..took that a little to far lol ) BUT the initial cost is higher.

A 6x48 T5 is more than enough for SPS. I have been running a 6x36 on my personal SPS tank for a few years. The ONLY reason why I'm swapping them out next month is because my F-series LED's are coming in.

So let's talk price.

48" F-series LED sells for $1,099.99

2 x radion LED's sell for $1650.00

6 x T5 48" TEK sells for $349.99 + 6 ATI bulbs at about $150, total of $499.99

The "problem" with T5 is you need to swap out the bulbs every 9 months....although I have gone 1 year with little browning. I have my T5's on a hanging kit so I lower them every few months, it extends the need to replace bulbs a little. With that being said, you need to dish out $150 on bulbs every 9 months.

Both are great lights, both will grow SPS. The question is $$?

Good luck with your purchase.
Ray

[subman]

you could also look at the kessil's seen here:
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...threadid=85070

IMO I would only look at leds once you figure the price of bulbs every six months the leds will end up saving after about 3-5 years of use depending on which led and or t5 you chose.

(I run radions and they are incredible)

[nrosdal]

if you are looking at pendants, i would look at something 50 watt + with the depth of your tank (the kessels are only 30 if i remember correctly). Depending on what you wanna keep for coral.

alll these look good as far as pendants go:

ecoxotic has a 50 and 100 watt

orphek has a 30 and a 50 watt (a bit pricey though)

cadlights has a neat looking line of 30/50/100 watters (have not seen any tests or pics of them in use).