Metal Halide or LED?

Ya I see what you mean, the MH fixture I linked was only 150w so it would be more expensive to get a 250w, even if I did get 6 PAR30's

 

I got 60 degree optics but with 5 plus bulbs you could probably do 40. To be honest I've never seen a 60gal tank so the dimensions are foreign. Your initial post said 18tall so I was thinking that was your height. Mine is 18" deep-approximately anyway not including substrate depth.

Depending on what corals your planning on keeping and how you orient the lights above the tank. I'd try to keep the height of the lights flexible so that you can acclimate new additions. Also depends on your scape and how high certain corals are. You could cluster two or three bulbs in an area you know needs high lighting for some SPS for example. Then keep some dimmer areas for the LPS with the others.

 

I am going to put 8 over my 75 gallon tank which measures 48Lx18Wx24H 4 on either sideI would concider the same lighting on your except only 6 bulbs made into a triange on either side, but heres a segustion PM the boost led and he can more accuratly tell you how many you would need and in ehat degree. I would do the 3b 2w combo and have six bulbs my self hope this helps.

PS I have seen these leds in action over my 20 gallon and they are AWSOME!!!!!!!

 

Can't beat them for the price. Easy to modify or work on. The only thing I suggest which most do anyway is replacing the bulbs.

 

By the way, thanks for the website! They have the 72" 3 X 250W Halide listed for $100 cheaper than eBay! $399!

 

My 3 400W MH's make my electric meter spin like a bologna slicer, but I love 'em.

 

hahahah nice analogy!!!

 

An old favorite, ask my wife!

 

I think I ruled out MH just for the heat issue, now I am torn between a TEK 4bulb T5HO fixture and 5 of boostled's PAR30's (thats what they said would work) What do you guys think? I love the shimmer of LED, but T5 is so versatile with different bulb combos and such.

 

Buy it now because they have a hard time keeping them in stock. I watched for about 3 months waiting for them to get one in stock and they never did. I bit the bullet and bought a retro kit. And of course now they have one in stock...So buy it now before its gone.