new tank

[Polkster13]

Eddie,

Not sure where you are located, but if you want to see a comparison between T-5 and MH, you are more than welcome to come over to my place. I have a 135 gallon with six T-5 bulbs and a 150 gallon with two 250 watt DE MH fixtures.

If interested, PM me for directions to my place. I live by Lake travis which is NW of Austin.

[mkengr45]

I think you should reconsiderthe metal halides. I had PCs for a long time before switching to a halide, and I will never go back. Particularly if you want to keep SPS and maybe a clam. I have a 250w 20k metal halide over a 30 gallon oceanic cube and am extremely happy with the growth and appearence of the tank. If you go PC or T-5, I would be willing to bet that at some point down the road you end up switching to a metal halide. All these guys have far greater experience than I do, this is just my opinion. HTH

Randy

[hobogato]

Most people will say that it is very difficlut to keep sps and clams with power compact lighting and I would have to agree. I havent tried the T5s but a lot of people have had success keeping sps, but then again their aquariums are blasted with light with lots of bulbs since they can fit plenty of them. I am curious as to what members will say so I am taggin along.

i agree also - tried for 4 years. now i have PC to suppliment blue for my MH 10K. all corals, even the ones that supposedly dont need a lot of light are looking better and growing.