Split lighting

Depends on what you want to grow. There really is not anything I can not grow in my tank. I would probably go with the 4 MH personally but it is really up to you. I am primarily SPS with 7 clams right now

BIG CON.....I have to replace all 4 MH bulbs now which is going to cost me BIG TIME! It has been 1 year so I need to replace them. Then I will need to replace 8T5HO bulbs....I am on line right now trying to find out what is the best price for the best bulb

 

I think two will suffice... I mostly like softies.. etc.. but if I can get MH cheaper.. I misewell right? wont softies grow better under MH than t5 anyway? Thats what I am afraid of as far as chiller... It is in a room with a window unit we keep around 70.
I am still up in the air on lighting... this has to be the hardest decision in reefkeeping.
I can get 2 250w mh with 96w PC supplements and moonlights for $440 shipped... or I can get 6x80w t5's with moonlights for $460... I mostly like softies and maybe montie.. my tank is only like 21 deep or so.. so not too deep..

 

honestly then...I would probably go with the T5HO set then. MH will rise your temp dramatically.

Plus you have to think about bulb replacement.
MH are expensive to replace.
PC lights are also expensive to replace also!
T5HO not as much as PC lights to replace

If you are not going to go SPS route (monti should do ok under the T5HO light) then I would not do MH as your temp will go up

on my old tank I had 8T5HO bulbs on there and had no problem growing anything either (4 white and 4 acentics)

 

I may go that route then.. my tank isnt that deep...
I will need more money up front but I think it will be a better route.
We have a plasma tv in the living room too.. and currently my 37g..
so near 200g of 82degree water.. plasma.. its hard to cool that room..
if I had MH it will be miserable.. and this is my living room.

 

I use split lighting over my twin 55 tank set up half the tank has 4bulb ho t5 and the other end has a 2 bulb ho t5 light.it allows me to keep low light corals on one end and high light corals on the other. its worked pretty well for me.

 

Yeah I cant believe the temp difference! I have the 135g in my LR with those lights. I have a 72g and a 29g in my office and a 14g in my BR. I already live in an area that has 100% humidity. My living room is almost unbearable witht he lights on..I only have 1 set on at any time and it is still like a sauna in there.

I have my air set at 70 and it was 78 in there when I got home last night from work. My tank with the chiller was a steady 78.4 ;D The fishes are comfy and I am sweating like pig

 

Does it look odd? I would like a full tank pic....I like the idea

 

I haven't given it much thought but I have already decided to go with two 4' odyssea MH systems when I set up my 8' tank. I don't see a single problem with it.