Not real happy with reef breeders led and sps...add T5 for better growth? Or go MH?

Realistically aquarium branded reflectors can't stack up to the Horticulture style reflectors. Reflectors like the Diamond Lumenarc, Sunlight Supply Lumenmax and Coralvue Lumenbrite are the best of the bunch. The big advantage is they used science to maximize the reflector performance. These are also large reflectors so most hobbyists will not be able to fit them under canopies. They are primarily used in tanks that measure 30"+ from front to back.

The next step down are some of the older fixtures from companies like Sunlight Supply and PFO. Many of these fixtures put out a ton of light but did not get quite the spread of larger tanks. These were primarily used in tanks that measure 20" - 30" from front to back.

The next step down is combo fixtures from companies such as Sfiligoi, Giesemann, and Aquamedic. These were the ones who first intorduced all in one MH + T5 fixtures. They were purpose maade aquarium fixtures that used highky reflective aluminum in their reflectors. These were primarily used in tanks that measure 20" - 30" from front to back.

Then you have fixtured such as Current USA, Hamilton, ect... which are massed produced over seas. They get the job done. But they do not stack up to the fixturtes at the top. They are worlds better and safer than fixtures such as Oddysea, Jebo, ond other crap fixtures sold on Ebay.

Unfortunately, most of the best metal halide reflector companies are no longer designing metal halide reflectors for our hobby. LEDs are taking over and becoming more the norm rather than the exception. Many of the top hobbyist in the country have converted from Metal Halide to LED. They are still just as successful as they were with metal halide! But then again they did not go cheap and they did not skimp on fixtures either. My friend and well known reef lighting guru Dr Sanjay Joshi last year converted his 500G tank from 3 - 400w 14k MH in Lumenmax reflectors to 8 - Ecotech Radion Pros. If you do the math, you will notice that his wattage actually increased a tad. He also went from a 8 hour photo cycle to a 12 hour (inclucing ramp up and ramp down) photo cycle.

Although MH systems can be just as efficient as LED, the majority of folks out there won't speand the added money to get the premium bulbs and reflectors needed to get that efficiency.

 

Plus, he still says he got better growth under mh...

 

How's this deal look?

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/for/4674581684.html

 

Well I'm going MH now

Gonna stick the leds in the closet.



Picked up a used set of 250w gear for $190. It came with:

2x lumen bright minis
1x lumen max

3x radium bulbs (4 months old)

2x coralvue ballasts
1x galaxy ballast



I'm debating adding some T5's now for tank viewing when the mh lights are off.

 

Add the T5 supplement. A set of nice actinic and blue plus bulbs you will not regret my friend. Congrats on the set up