Here is my new tank, it's 3 sided starphire 1/2" with center overflow and drilled for closed loop. I'm trying to research for what light I want to go with. I think a 24" fixture would work for it. I want something that I can hang, be able to keep clams, some sps, zoas, and lps. I've been looking at a single 250 watt metal halide with T5's or 4 or 6 bulb T5 fixture. I want either fixture to have moonlighting led's. Any suggestions?

ati 24" 10 bulb unit

It's hard to find a good 24" combo fixture w/ halides and T5s and moonlights. An Outer Orbit would go good, but the reflector sucks and it's discontinued.

An 8/10x24w fixture would be nice. ATI, or Tek. An ATI sunpower/powermodule would go well, although there is no moonlights.

Also, a single 250w metal halide reflector would work good, like a Lumenmax. If you want the T5s for color, you could add on some reefbrite/powerbrite LEDs on either side instead. Not weak enough for moonlights, but great for dawn/dusk. The reefbrites are awesome.

I don't know about moonlights.

That looks like a really slick tank. Going bare bottom with it? I'd recommend a Current outer orbit pro if you can find one. 250 Halide 4X24 T5s. If you want something nicer http://www.marinedepot.com/Giesemann_Infin...TMDNMM3-vi.html . http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluore...odule_Fixtures/ This is an awesome fixture as well. Either 8 or 10 bulbs would give you all the power and coverage you could possibly want.

I love my T5s, but a 10 bulb fixture gets a bit ridiculous. My recommendation for the best bang-for-your-buck is to do the last option Nemo Niblets suggested--a single 250w lamp with a good reflector, like LumenMax, LumenBright, or Lumenarc. LumenBrights are the more efficient of those.

What is everybodys opinion on Hamilton technology stuff like the Belize or cayman systems? Iit looks like the Belize has metal halide, t5, and moonlights, where as the cayman has metal halide and moonlights.


I won't be going bare bottom.

I'd either go 1 400w MH or a 8 bulb T5 setup.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1815120

Hamilton gets bad bad bad service reviews.

The PAR 38's would be cool. Personally, I would do a halide in the middle, supplemented by 4 PAR 38's given your tank dimensions and coral selection wish list. You'll spend a little more up front, but save on energy costs and longevity of the system.

That, and it would absolutely kick donkey.

What'd you go with?