What would you do for lighting? 150w? 250w? LED?
 

So my lights are up for renewal. I have a 180g 72x24x24

currently I have 150w fixture
I can replace the bulbs and spend around $500

or I mod the fixture to 250w with nice ballast (galaxy) for about 900

or I can build a DIY LED (which i might have fun doing) for about 1100 and then sell the 150w fixture..

someone give me some FEEDBACK! ahhhh my brain is going nuts.

First question, what is it you want to keep? Second, how many 150W bulbs are in your fixture?

forgot to mention mainly SPS and some zoas.
3 bulbs on 150w fixture coral life aqualight pro

Does the tank have a canopy? If so you can keep the fixture you have and just add a few T5's into the canopy. 24" isn't that deep. I know that fixture you have, I had one. With a couple of 39W T5's you'll have enough light for SPS.

What size are your PC's? I have a 48" fixture with 2 250MH and 2 96W 36"PC. Wanted to change out the 250MH for 400MH. Decided to change the PC's out instead to T5's. My original PC's were 36" and I was able to change them to 4 54W T5's that were 48" More light coverage and was able to do it for under $150. A cheap upgrade that i'm glad i did.

lol make DIY led fixture gonna last you for almost 12 years ,no maintenance,no replacing expensive bulbs ,electricity cost cut in half this is the future

No for this light
 

You said you want to do the LED thing and I would say no to that one and for that price it's not worth it. I know of a cupple of people with some really bad times with the leds. I think that the LED still need work i say give it like 2 or 3 more years before getting in to that. There is nothing wrong with T5 HO's


Frime the do it your self light man lol (thats me!!!!!)

My gudeline is 250watts MH for every 2 ft on std off the shelf tanks. If you can fit t5 as a supplement that's okay too. 20K bulbs are too blue...14k Phenoix bulbs are a better choice

lapdog2020, how is the price of the LEDs not worth it? they are cheaper than the 250w option because ill end up selling the 150w fixture. plus in a year i wont have to change the bulbs! ($500)

my tank is 60X27X27, and I am using the Hamilaton Belize fixture. It is 2X250W with 2 foot long T5HO and 3X1W LEDS. this fixture is top notch quality, and I love it, and they make them in all lengths.

I ordered mine from JL, and had it in like 7 business days, and they don't even stock it. I paid about $1070, incl shipping and taxes. It also came with all bulbs, tank brackets, hanging brackets and deflectors if you hang it. I would recommend this to anyone.

Here is the link to the 6 foot with 3XMH:

http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/it...g-Systems-1726