To MH or not to MH?

[arvin]

Currently I have PC lights on my display tank and am thinking of replacing it so I can keep some light demanding corals, clams etc. I know that MH is one option. What other options do I have? My tank is a 72g bowfront.

There was a discussion sometime back on these lines, but I am unable to locate it.

 

[DaveK]

Lighting comes down to the question, "What do you want to keep in the tank?"

Since you want "demanding corals" (I assume this is SPS corals) and clams, you might as well go with MHs from the start.

My preference would be for two 150w double ended bulbs or two 175w mogul base bulbs, in what ever fixture you like.

You could also use 250w bulbs and the cost wouldn't be that much more, but it might be overkill, and you'd need to deal with a lot more heat.

The other options would be a lot of PC bulbs or a lot of T5 bulbs. These could work, but I think most people that have used both would opt for MHs.

You may also want to use your existing PCs with actinic bulbs in combination with MHs.

 

[arvin]

How about Solaris? I've heard they rival MH from people who've used both!

I cannot afford a Solaris, unless I get a book deal or something.

Right now, I am only trying to decide between MH & T5. Thanks for the response anyway!.