Are these lights worth the deal??

I found a set of lights for sale I am considering. My tank is a 56g 36" tank (roughly 56) and I keep softies and some LPS.

maristar 36" 2x150 metal halide 2x39 t5 and an icecap led strip. Radium and geismann bulbs. $400.00

Are they worth it? Is it enough or too much light?

 

Not too much light, might not be enough light on the sand the 150W MH penetrate to about only 18", the T5HO will get to the sand though.

You will spend less on a 4X39W T5HO which will easily handle your needs and allow expansion to SPS, use less energy and generate less heat.

Current USA Nova Extreme T5HO Fixtures

 

I think that's a little on the high side for softies and LPS, but I'm don't really know a lot about light penetration like 2in10 said. also I personally would want leds if I was going to spend 400 to light a 55g.

 

Right now I am running the current USA sundial 4x t5 30"

 

The link I gave you is a big step up from the sundial.

 

What is the height of the tank? Should be more than enough light. I would assume that the tank is about 18" deep, which would make it 18" high. In reality, 150MHs can penetrate much further than 18", with a good reflector. Usually those types of fixtures don't have good reflectors though, but even if the tank is very tall, you'd still be able to keep anything you want in the upper half anyways and lower light corals on the bottom.

Also, John, I'm a little confused though. I'm not sure how your concluding that the Nova extreme provides more light than the sundial. Both are 4x39W, with individual reflectors. Going from a single reflector to individuals makes a big difference. And adding bulbs makes a difference. However, if these parameters are equal, as they appear to be with these two fixtures, there is not much room to pull out much more par.

Or did you mean to link the Nova Extreme Pro? This has 2 extra bulbs, so, that will make a big difference:
Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 10k/460nm Actinics

 

Do you have a friend with a par meter? Have you looked at LEDs

 

The tank is 21" deep. My current fixture is only 30" which is why I think he listed it as an upgrade.

I took a look at LED but can't swing the 900 right now.

Is it really that large of an upgrade going from 4x24. To 4x39? In reality you are not getting any additional intensity od lint just a larger coverage area. By all logic you would get the same light at the center of both fixtures, the increase in wattage is directly related to the additional length.

 

ahh, I see now! Sorry, I misread the 30" current fixture part. the length should not change the par directly below the bulb significantly, but will change the par at the edges of the tank. Your edges are probably pretty dim as the 30" fixture only has 24" length bulbs. Or your raising it up higher to get more coverage, which will decrease the PAR directly under it, as the light will be more diffuse.

The 6 bulb "Pro" fixture will definitely increase par below as well as to the sides. The MHs should be ok for 21 too, but may be a bit dim at the bottom, should be able to keep most things, but maybe no clam on the sandbed. On the rocks should be fine though.

 

How about the 4x39 fixture? Think that could support a clam on the sand?