Lighting for 120 gallon

I have a 55 gallon with 4 x 54watt T5's. I am upgrading to a 120 gallon (4x2x2). I have read tons of treads about T5's vs. Metal Halides. I know both would probrably be sufficent for what i am putting together. Cost wise I think the T5's may be slightly cheaper than the halides, both start up and electicity wise. What my choices are is a 8 bulb retro (adding 4 bulb to my existing 4 of 54w T5.) My other thought was to use the existing four bulb and add 2 x 250watt metal halides. My concerns is i want to do this once. Any suggestion or experiences would be very appreciated right now. I change my mind every second. Confused. Thanks

 

i would check out the lights made by aquaticlife, they have a really nice 4ft light, with halides, and it has a timer and only one plug, that is if your not on a budget, and if you are on a budget (most of us are) i would just get another retro kit and do an 8 bulb fixture, but then again it all depends on what you want to spend, and what kind of corals you want to keep.

 

i would check out the lights made by aquaticlife, they have a really nice 4ft light, with halides, and it has a timer and only one plug, that is if your not on a budget, and if you are on a budget (most of us are) i would just get another retro kit and do an 8 bulb fixture, but then again it all depends on what you want to spend, and what kind of corals you want to keep.[/QUOTE]

Yeah right now my corals are Lps, not to interested in SPS as of yet. I kinda slowed down due to upgrading tank. The only thing is I seem to be getting the bug and who knows. I think just upgrading to additional 4 x T5's is the easiest but very back and forth. Thanks

 

I currently have a Sunlight Supply 250w x 2 MH and two t5 combo unit. It is a great unit, has great grow power, but I will be switching to the 6 bulb Sunlight Supply T5 instead.

I like the MH, but I LOVE the T5 color, and with good bulbs like ATI, you will get good growth with t5's as well.

BTW, this is on a 120g as well (4x2x2)

 

My current retro setup for 55 gallon is with ATI bulbs and i do love the colors using two ati blueplus and two aquablue specials. I think i am leaning on going all T5's. I am considering your current setup also. For me it would just be adding retro 2 x 250's but just worried stories of heat, cost of electricity. Would not want to buy chiller unless absolutely needed one. Thanks. I've seen you thread now and then and tanks looks great!! One question how did you plum you tank. I have 120 aga. I bought the durso stand pipes from aga but thinking on going herbie design.

 

You could go with the retro and not use 2 lamps until you get SPS. I definitely suggest the T5HO over MH for the reasons you are concerned.

 

Good info for me since I was hoping to get away with just 6 T5's for my big tank (4' x 21.5" x 2'), since 8 would be another 108 watts.