Metal halide, leds, or t5s?

[Massimo]

Don't know which to go with, I would like to have most corals and anemones. I can get metal halides for 299.99 at my LFS but I have a glass cover to my tank and I don't want my water boiling.. If I do get a MH can I put just one fan pointing at my water to cool it down? My tank is a 37 gallon, 3 feet long and a foot deep, 20 inches high I think. Any suggestions?

 

[danbstrong]

Don't know which to go with, I would like to have most corals and anemones. I can get metal halides for 299.99 at my LFS but I have a glass cover to my tank and I don't want my water boiling.. If I do get a MH can I put just one fan pointing at my water to cool it down? My tank is a 37 gallon, 3 feet long and a foot deep, 20 inches high I think. Any suggestions?

Can you take the glass cover off? Ive been running mh250w x 2 on my 55g never once had temperature issues but my room temp dont fluctuate roomtemp will also play a role

 

[bonniewoodruff]

I would check prices online, I know my LFS is very helpful but also very high. I know there are group deals at bulk reef supply, I have also purchased equipment on ebay.

 

[Zactheninja]

Taotronics.

 

[Massimo]

I can take it off but dust gets into the water :s plus the glass keeps the water from evaporating so fast. Do metal halides run up the electrical bill a lot?

 

[danbstrong]

I can take it off but dust gets into the water :s plus the glass keeps the water from evaporating so fast. Do metal halides run up the electrical bill a lot?

Not sure about electric bill but ive used mh for few years just bought some leds imo mh are better for sps leds maybe for lps but my acros do not like led

 

[Massimo]

How many fixtures of the taotronics would I need?

 

[danbstrong]

How many fixtures of the taotronics would I need?

Mh also have higher uv which is better for sps so depends on corals you wanna keep

 

[Massimo]

Dont want sps, mostly softies.

 

[danbstrong]

Dont want sps, mostly softies.

Then id go leds do a 60/40 blue/white ratio to make colors pop ebay has several 120w fixtures

 

[Massimo]

Would one of these be okay or would I need 2 of them?

 

[danbstrong]

Would one of these be okay or would I need 2 of them?

Prolly get by with one

 

[Massimo]

Would you think this is good? It's $560. Looks really good and is made of stainless steel

 

[danbstrong]

Would you think this is good? It's $560. Looks really good and is made of stainless steel

Looks good to me for lps id say ya

 

[Luis1662]

Just to give you an idea. I have a 40gal reef and for the past year I have been running 60 1watt LEDs and they have been growing softies and lps(frogspawn,hammer). My tank is only 16" deep though. I just bought a new 120watt 55 3watt LEDs with dimmers just so I can add some more light demanding corals. Good luck with your tank.