What do you think about 250 MH - can't afford Nova Pro

[fatman]

I have spent a fortune on lights over the years, so I definitely know what you mean.

[reeffreak]

I wholeheartly recommend MH if that's what you want to go with to save money....but.......

Are you really going to save money in the long run with the added electricity consumption?You're already aware of possible heat issues but my real concern is buying MH or any aquarium light on Ebay.Do your research and be aware of quality issues,no nobody wants there house to go up in flames.Check the seller's feedback and warranty,many times lights will arrive broken,either broken bulbs or wiring problems.Another concern is having only one MH bulb shiining over the middle brace.It will leave a shadow,in this case really 2x150w version would be better than 1x250w one.I believe they recommend one MH for every 24'',you have 36'' so I think 2/150w would be better.

[fatman]

Originally Posted by reeffreak

Another concern is having only one MH bulb shiining over the middle brace.It will leave a shadow,in this case really 2x150w version would be better than 1x250w one.

Sounds reasonable.

[Bifferwine]

The Nova T5s you talked about are sufficient for keeping acros and other SPS. I did it, and tons of other people do it. In fact, my SPS corals grew better under T5s than they do under halides. For a smaller tank like yours, I'd still say that T5s are the better option.

But if you want halides, I don't think a 250 would be overkill. Like others have said, the only issue would be the heat.

[Bifferwine]

PS -- look into the Nova Extremes. I used the 4-bulb Nova Extreme fixture over my 55 and successfully kept an anemone and SPS corals. They are much cheaper than the Pros because they don't have individual reflectors, but I think that the Nova Extremes would still be a better option for you than halides, and they are within your budget.

[lightcs4]

It's done.

Reef,

First, thanks for all the advice with the T5s. FInding affordable lights is kinda fustrating as I would really have liked the Nova Pro, but we all have to set our priorities.

I researched the light extensively (my wife decided I was obessed). I found several posts on different forums where people were satisfied with them. Hopefully it will work out. The two 150 watt wasn't an option (around $350) ... I have to feed the kids and would have gone with the T5HOx6 at that point. I figure I can make improvements down the road such as a different balast if this one has issues. As far as the electric consumption, I can get away with a little more electrical usage easier than trying to get my wife to accept a $300+ light ... the dog house can get very cold . I also read the HQI MHs are better at consumption than the older style MHs.

The support creating a shadow may be an issue. I was thinking I could replace it with a glass support, or use corner supports instead, leaving the center open. I also could put lower light items around the center support. I can position the light so it isn't directly over the support.

[lightcs4]

Originally Posted by Bifferwine

PS -- look into the Nova Extremes. I used the 4-bulb Nova Extreme fixture over my 55 and successfully kept an anemone and SPS corals. They are much cheaper than the Pros because they don't have individual reflectors, but I think that the Nova Extremes would still be a better option for you than halides, and they are within your budget.

Thanks, but I didn't feel as comfortable with the Nova Extremes lighting ability. They were on sale too, very tempting. I think I might have gone with them if I had previous experience with corals.

[Bifferwine]

Don't doubt the Extremes lighting ability -- like I said, their 4 bulb fixture worked great for my 55. T5s don't follow the same wpg gallon 'rule of thumb' like other lights. You can get away with a lot less watts with T5s.

[lightcs4]

Originally Posted by Bifferwine

Don't doubt the Extremes lighting ability -- like I said, their 4 bulb fixture worked great for my 55. T5s don't follow the same wpg gallon 'rule of thumb' like other lights. You can get away with a lot less watts with T5s.

I had already ordered the 250 MH setup. Hopefully I wasn't too anxious and will be happy with them.

Thanks.

[fatman]

I think you will like the 250 watt halide just fine. As far as the center brace, you can always cut it out and use european bracing. It is actually stronger bracing. It just amounts to a 3/4" to 1" wide piece of glass running horizontal along your top tank edges in front and back. In your case the only wall it would need to be run on is the longest wall. It would just be siliconed into place just under the cover glass lip of the top plastic trim. The glass strip would run with the width at a right angle to the glass wall forming a "L" shape. With this the center brace could be cut out and would not blockthe light. The bracing just like the cross brace is only to stop bowing and to provide a convient way to use shorter and therfore cheaper to ship glass covers. If you could talk to aquatic firm engineers you would find shipping and handling costs and therefore profits is mainly the factor for making small things for aquariums, such as refugiums, sumps, filters, skimmers and calc reactors. Retail advertsing just flaunts convenience of its fitting in a cabinet as a selling point. It is a fact that most things sold for reef tank use work better when not down sized to fit under the tank in a stand. Same goes for lghting and such. They make light housing smaller primarily because that is cheaper. I guarantee a long neck skimmer works better than a short neck skimmer. Ever wonder why Biffer likes her skimmer so much. Cut it in half and it definitely would not work so well.