Lighting Question
I guess the question is whether or not 4 T8's (overdriven x2) have the same outut (PAR) as 2 96W PC lamps? My guess would be no. IMO the extra money spent on the 2 PC lamps ($132) over the T8 lamps ($??) would be worth the increase in light output, rather than the better coverage of the 4 T8 lamps. (This is entirely based on the assumption that 2 96W 6700K PC lamps have a higher PAR value than 4 6500K T8 lamps overdriven x2)
With that in mind I think your plans to add 2 96W PC 6700K lamps with a pair of 48" 40W NO actinics would certainly give you an increase in intensity, nice coloration, as well as good coverage of your tank for a relatively low cost (less than $200).
Steve (StirCrazy), I don't think the suggestion of going to "2 or 3 MH's" is even a valid one here as it seems obvious to me that Steve (Tigger) is looking for a relatively inexpensive upgrade to his lighting. MH would be at least a $600 option for just two ballasts and two lamps and that would not even be nominal considering he has a 6' tank to light. Seems to me that Steve (Tigger) is looking to stay in the $200 ballpark here (ballast + lamps)
With the aforementioned combo of 2x96W 6700K PC lamps with 2x40W NO Actinics you would be able to keep pretty much any softie, mushroom or polyp, and most LPS corals. You wouldn't be "severely limiting yourself" to anything except most SPS corals and clams. You could easily keep a T. Derasa clam though under that lighting. As for an Anemone again I see no problems under that lighting, providing you are supplementally feeding it and keeping good stable water parameters.
So it seems the thing that needs to be answered here is which provides more light (total PAR) 2x96W 6700K PC lamps or 4x32W 6500K T8 lamps overdriven x2?
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