Lighting question T5 Mh

I currently have Coralife 36" 96w x 2 (arctic / 10k). I am successfully growing some soft corals now, but I want my tank to grow them quicker and be able to host most of them. Maybe an anemone too.

So here is what I found on ebay that I have my eyes on, because budget is very important to me.

36'' Metal Halide 250 T5 HO Aquarium Reef light MOON - eBay (item 190361907064 end time Jan-30-10 11:43:46 PST)

This one will double my wattage to 400w

and also this one

36'' Metal Halide 150 HQI T5 HO Aquarium Light Fixture - eBay (item 170436367087 end time Jan-30-10 07:23:18 PST)

This one is only 228w, so would it even be worth upgrading to this or no?

 

The thing I don't like about those fixtures is the MH is gonna be smack in the middle. Doesn't your tank have a brace going across the middle on the top?

 

Good point, yes it does. I am really interested in T5 with 6 bubs and not use Metal H all together. But they are so damn expensive ~$350.

I dont think I can get more then 150 for my fixture on craigs list.

 

Unfortunately, nothing worth anything is cheap in this hobby.

A good T5 is expensive, but seems to be your best answer.

FWIW T5s are worth twice what a PC bulb is, as long as you have a quality reflector that is.

 

So it would be worth upgrading to 6 bulb t5 even though it is only 42w more then what I have now ?

 

a quality TEK fixture in a 4 bulb version would be an upgrade.

With a 6 bulb, you could grow SPS on the sand.

 

What do you guys think of this ? Aquarium Lighting for Reef Systems: Current Nova Extreme Pro Saltwater T-5 Fixtures

Also how much should I ask when I sell my 36" Coralife 96w x 2 ?

 

The Current fixture will definitely be an upgrade and should work well for you. As far as how much you can get for your fixture, my guess is some where around $100, but keep in mind that PCs aren't nearly as popular as they once were and many people are tending to go with T5s if they are going the florescent way, so you could get much less.

 

if you have enough room maybe you can still use your PCs and add 2 bulb t5 fixture right behind it.. you may have to build a canopy.

I have a 55g and originally bought 4x65w pcs with lunars, and still barely manage to fix a 2x54w T5 unit towards the back.

 

Ok so I found a grate price for 288 with shipping on Pet Mountain if you use a coupon code "ten" to get 10% off the entire purchase. But...
I found a guy on craigslist with the same used fixture (he claims 4 month old) and he is willing to sell it for $200. Hopefully I can check it out today. I think its a good deal for Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5HO Aquarium Light Fixtures