recommended lights for 75 gal reef?

I have been out of reef keepig for abt four years due to major home addition...but built in a wall display and room for a future 75 gal reef tank. Just bought a skimmer...now time for new lights. I used to have CF lights now wanting to upgrade new tank to handle more coral...Been reading up on MH vs T5HO vs LED....so many choices. Looking to spend up to 800..thats abt max. What lights do all of you recommend within that price range...looking for a balance between looks, efficency, cost, power.....?????

 

Orphek is supposed to be coming out with their PAR38 LED bulbs(screw into a florescent socket) late this month. I will be getting 3 for my 75g reef. That is the amount they recommended. INtended to replace the 75-150w metal halide, these are 24w(ea. bulb) w/ 12 diodes. They should be available in several color combinations. I will be getting the ones with 6 white, 4 blue and 2 UV diodes. these bulbs are also dimmable. - no retail price has been set yet.

-These do not get hot when in the right conditions(open air)
-will malfunction if overheated

Hands-on Preview of Orphek's PR-25 PAR38 LED Light - Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog

There are several LED fixtures available that are basically plug-and-play. I.E...

-orphek PR-156(replaces the 400w MH)
http://orphek.com/
-Mu Series 135W LED Module(from Boost LED)
http://www.boostled.com/

You could also go with a 6X 54w T5HO fixture. The bulbs will need to be replaced every 8-12 months and should be enough to keep almost any coral you want.

-may get a little hot(fans will solve this problem)
-bulbs need to be replaced
-

Metal halide will allow you to keep many corals as well. But bulbs need to be replaced more often. For a 75, I would recommend 2X 150w with T5HO or LED supplementation for better overall looks.

-run hot...you will most likely need a chiller
-bulbs should be replaced often(8-10 months)
-one color for each fixture - can be supplemented

 

What type of coral are you looking to keep. That greatly affects the recommendation. An ATI 4X54W fixture will allow you to keep anything you want in a SPS dominant tank. You wold want a 2x250W MH unit most likely with T5HO actinic supplementation. LED I suggest you contact our sponsors who specialize in LED lighting.

 

looking to start with some softies and LPS and then add a few SPS

 

Either suggestion will work for you.

 

I just got the ATI 6X54 PM and am very happy with it. Very bright. I also have a 75gal.
I have no sps yet but the lps and other corals are doing fine.

 

That's wonderful, Mikro. Could we get some pictures of the tank/corals?