72 bowfront lighting help

Im building my first reef tank, 72 bowfront..im stuck in this constant battle with my mind lol leds vs T5 vs MH lighting. I know MH is to much heat but they look so nice, T5 are cheaper, LEDs well they just look amazing ....i want and will sooner or later build an LED setup if i finnaly decide what truely is the better lighting system ?? <--- that means help lol but first, before spending 400 on all the supplies, i was thinking let me work with what i have..

I have a fixture thats 3x54 watt T5 2 6500k bulbs and 1 antic

what can i grow under these lights to begin my journey into the reef wrold lol?

 

bump? anyone

 

I would scrap the 6500 bulbs and get a 10k and a blue plus or something better suited to reef tanks. The 6500s will lead to more algae growth.

With that fixture, you should be able to easily keep softies and some lps. With better bulbs you may be able to keep low light demanding sps near the top, but I am not sure. I know there will be more experts on here soon.

Sent from my Evo

 

so well for the money of replacing bulbs i should sell it and just buy a new one right ? start saving for leds lol

 

Eh, new bulbs are probably 40-60 bucks depending on if you can find them locally or not. Depends on what your goal is. If you are happy with softies and LPS then keep it and be happy. If you want SPS and clams I would sell it and get something that will support those.

Is it single reflector or individual reflectors?

 

as for SPS i would want a few but not many, they are individual reflectors

 

I agree with replacing the bulbs. I suggest getting ATI bulbs I would get 1 each of the Blue Plus, Aquablue special and Purple plus. It will run you less than $70 with shipping to replace those if you order from AquaCave and use the 3reef discount.