175 Watt Halides good anough for a 24" deep tank?

Ive never had halides, I only know what Ive researched. But Ive started planning for my final upgrade (I know we all say that, but Im sticking to it) and am really bouncing between 175 watt Halides (250 and 400 are out of the question as they get too hot) and T5s. The only reason that I have commited totally to T5s is because the tank will be a 120 (48x24x24) and Im thinking it will take atleast six bulbs, and I dont like the idea of having to replace six bulbs when they go bad, as it is expensive. So I was think dual 175 halides, with 2 t5s.........what do you guys think?

 

Depends on the coals. My 175w odyssea did fine with most easier corals even with cheap bulbs. My 250 sps bulbs are too much for somethings and just right for the acros up top. I have a 24" deep 180. You may lose some color on some sps with 175 ...depending on placement.

 

Im not entirely interested in SPS, Im might dip my feet in and get a few frags, but for the most part I think SPS is overrated. **I cant believe he just said that!**

 

Anyone else care to comment?

 

I thought T5 bulbs were alot cheaper than mh's. Plus I think you are supposed to stagger the change times of bulbs, so no major effect on corals or pocket.

 

I guess staggering them would make more sense, so lets switch this over to t5's.......what does everyone think about a 6 bulb fixture/retro?

 

I just upgraded my t5 luminaire 6 bulb, to halides and i have noticed a big difference in my coral growth, its only 19" deep, the halides are 2x150, the temp does rise from 78f to 83f in 8 hours, but a fan blowing across the surface keeps this steady, i don't have any sps yet or clams but i plan on getting some, for me there great and i will never have t5's again, just wish i bought them sooner, 2x175 on a 120 with t5' supplement would be good, just may have to put some sps higher up...

 

Now Im all screwed up, went from Metal halides to T5s.....then I saw this thread:

Tank of the Month - February 2003 - Reefkeeping Online Magazine

RC's Feb 2003 TOTM pretty much has the same lighting I want, on the same exact tank. I think ill lean towards this now, except instead of VHOs, Im gonna use T5s.

 

VHO's your going old school. i used to have those.

i think a couple 175's with(t5 or vho's actinics) would work well if you only want a few sps at the top.

other wise for full ability to have anything anywhere i would get 2 250's

also i think a 6 bulb t5 will work for soft corals, i would go 8 bulbs for stonies at the top

 

Im not going to use VHO, If I do go with metal halides, Im going to supplement with T5s. Its just that, with the heat issues here in Northern Nevada (even though the summer is short), I really dont want to go with more than 175.