Half Round Lighting Questions

I have a half round (semi-circle) 76 gal. Currently I have a 2x24W T5 and 2 150W MH (2 separate fixtures). I want to build a hood for it, one that would be able to house retrokit lights. My questions are:

Would 5 36" T5HO and 3 24" T5HO be good to house any corals my little heart desired? My tank is 25" deep.

Or, would 2 36" T5HO, a 250W MH Pendant and 2 24" T5HO be better?

The Half Round looks great, but is a PITA to set up. Can't fit a 6x39W fixture by 1", and a 4x39W fixture with a 2x24W fixture leaves open spots. Retrofits are my best bet and have figured up a cost of $720 (BRAND NEW) + my $55/hour electrician fee I charge.

I know bulb selection can make a difference, but if it were you, what would you do?

 

Aye those tanks are hard to configure for sure. I would go with the halide/T5 combo myself on such a deep tank.

Not sure if this helps, but this was a cool bowfront DIY canopy build:
http://www.3reef.com/forums/3reef-s...m-bowfront-canopy-video-submission-68540.html

 

I just missed out on a New 250W MH IceCap ballast for $80 because I was on vacation and the wife had to stay 1 more day...happy wife or new ballast...happy wife wins every time. My thoughts are the same as you Matt with the MH being the best bet, but my wallet likes the other idea. Plus, the only reflector I can fit is the parabolic, so it would not be the best spread. But I agree.

 

Your 5x 36" and 3x 24" should be plenty.

 

What about this:

I have a 36" 2 x 150W MH set-up right now, just didn't like it cause it was big. I can fit 2 36" T5s and 3 24" T5s with this fixture, and it is crammed in there. The setup would be like so:

Front to back - 3 24" T5 - MH - 2 36" T5

What are some good bulb combos with this config? I have 2 14K Phoenix MHs.

 

2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 UVL Fiji Purple and 1 UVL Super Actinic. Do 1 Blue Plus and 1 Fiji Purple in 36" the rest 24". Front to back Super Actinic, Fiji Purple, Blue Plus, MH, Fiji Purple, Blue Plus.

 

I'd love to see this.
I miss having T5s supplement my halide. (had that on my old tank)