I am looking into lights for the 90 gallon I am setting up. I am use to t5 only lights, but I am considering MH for the first time. Here are the options I plan on going with:
8 x 54T5HO overdriven on IceCap ballast w/ aquatinic reflectors
or
2 x 250W MH + 2 54T5HO for actinics
For upfront costs, i can save around $200 going the MH route, and prices for bulbs seem to be about the same (unless i get radium MH bulbs, then MH will cost more).
I plan on keeping SPS mostly and want a clam on the bottom. Does anyone have an opinion on which way to go?
Also, how do I know which is a good MH ballast? I was looking here (http://www.aquacave.com/searchresult.aspx?CategoryID=438), and i dont know what the differnce would be based on ballast alone.
The tank will be located in my basement which is always cool, so MH heat isnt a factor. I prefer t5's based on the flexibility of bulbs for spectrum (id like to run a 6k and 10K bulb the first year to promote growth).