New bulbs or more fixtures.

I have 2 36" t5ho fixtures with stock bulbs. I can't decide if I want to change the bulbs over to ati (would be 8 bulbs total) or if I want to double up on t5ho fixtures or maybe a metal halide system. I would love to get some lps corals soon. Just wanting suggestions as I can only do one of them now. My stock bulbs are about 2 months old now.

 

What sized tank? Please include dimensions. You should be able to keep LPS with the fixtures specially if you go to ATI bulbs.

 

what stock bulbs are they?

LPS corals are not as light demanding as SPS corals
and IME most of them can be kept perfectly happy under the same lighting conditions
as majority of soft corals are kept

Steve

 

i believe you should bite the bullet and get metal halides, you have to have so many t5 bulbs to match the output of halides its just ridiculous, it would probably be cheaper, and easier just to get a single halide setup

 

id go for the new bulbs. depending on what you got stock, the ATIs could have 50% or more PAR. the colors are also real nice. halide is still an option in the future but may require you to get a chiller(unless u have central air and put a fan over the tank) which can cost as much as the MH and just as power hungry. GL

 

its a 125 gal I have the Odyssey lights that aquatraders sells. I would love to get a halide setup but i have a closed canopy and I'm kinda worried about heat issues.

 

as long as the fixture is suspended or mounted at least 12 inches above the tank you are good.