Another, is this light good question.

150g tank 72x18x27

Going to keep LPS coral.

Hellolights 48" 4 Lamp Very High Output T5 Retrofit Kit w/ bulbs! - HL448T5KIT

I contacted them. This is what they said.

Hi, this light will be plenty to sustain even high light demanding sps corals in the top of the aquarium. These will need to be screwed into your canopy.


Sean
HL


Is this true?

 

I could be wrong but does it list a wattage on there? Also one thing that could be annoying is that there are no moonlights, and you would have to run your whites and actinics on the same plug. Its nicer for it to be 2 plugs that way you could run them on separate timers.

 

what is wrong with Metal Halides, hard to beet the power for the space and they can light deep aquariums
coral farmers use em

 

A 4' fixture over a 6' tank will leave you with dark corners. With a 150 being 27" deep a 60" six lamp retrofit is the minimum I would consider. Just make sure you get nice SLR's and quality t5 bulbs.

~Will.

 

Even on a 6 foot tank those lights will support LPS with no problem.

Stagger the bulbs so that they reach the ends of the tank.

That retro has individual SLR's, so that won't be a problem. It does not mention the brand of reflectors, but that should be inconsequential. Some are better than others, but all of this type are good.

Bulbs, yeah, it is not specific about that either, but for LPS, no problem. You can always change bulbs, and you will need to eventually.

There is nothing wrong with MH other than the watts it uses. T5ho work great for reef tanks. But both have pros and cons.

If

 

The kit has Hellolights TRU bulbs which are fairly weak on PAR. The ballast is supposed to overdrive by 15% causing the bulbs to run at 62W instead of 54W. They don't offer 60" units. You would do better to get two 36" units. Also add a PC fan blowing across the label end of the bulbs to keep them cooler and extend their useful life and keep the spectrum degradation to a minimum. Maybe add a fan blowing across the ballasts also.

 

I suppose I should have read more on the link

Yeah, TRU bulbs are not very good, but LPS does not need a lot of PAR. Replace these with better bulbs after 9-12 months. You might be able to put in 60" t5s in the future, depending on that ballast of course.

The ballast is their own mild overdrive t5ho ballast. Usually OD in t5s that are 48" equates to a 80w OD, not 62 watts, but I don't see why this would be an issue.

They don't offer a 60" t5 retrofit.

I would say for that price, you won't be able to touch any other retrofit that is worth buying.

I say go for it, based on HL's great reputation.
Staggering the lights at the ends like I mentioned will barely be noticeable, and it might help for some corals that might not like the brighter center 48". You only will have 6" on each end that is a little dimmer. That's not an issue.

 

Ok. I know for a fact i want SPS corals. Not a lot but some.
I want a light that will be sufficient for SPS as well. Will this be fine?

Or

the coralife 3 MH 150watt with PC actinics 6" fixture.

I do not want to put a chiller on my tank. Will this fixture require me to get one?
I know it depends on how far the light is from the tank. I will use the legs it comes with.
I can get this second hand 2 years old for $600.

What i am really concerned about is if the SPS coral will live with the VHO lighting.
And, the best colors.

I have a really nice canopy i would like to use which the retrofit would be awesome for.

****, im losing sleep over which light to get. lol seriously.

VHO or metal halide.

Cost VHO is $200+shipping convert to canadian$ say $350ish.
Coralife fixture MH PC and LED. $600.

lol can i post a poll?

thanks everyone for your replys!

 

the hellolights are T5, not VHO. The ballast makes them very high output T5s because they are slightly overdriven. Normal T5s for reef tanks are HO or high output. Most people call the old T12s that were overdriven vhos. I say go with the T5s. At that price, you can't beat it. You will be able to keep sps towards the top. If you really want to go all out and spend 600, get a 4 or 6 bulb 80w retro. Those bulbs are 60".

 

Thanks for clearing up VHO and HO for me matt.

4 bulbs is enough? if i spread them and overlap a little.