Can anyone recomend lighting

[Newguy]

Im in the process of looking to upgrade my lights. i know this subject is talked about everywhere and theres 1000 different ideas that seem to change daily on what is the next best thing and whats been outdated. Heres my question, i have a 75g tank currently with only live rock 2 clowns and 2 green chromis. I have a 48 inch hood with 2x54watt 50/50 light 21" lights. i know im way underpowered to grow corals but ive only been up and runing for about a month now. Im looking to start trying to get some anemones and need to know what type of fixture i need to proceed in the next step of the hobby to support them. i would like to keep in out of the metal hailide's since heat will be an option since i dont have a chiller or anyway too cool the water off with the excess heat. Any help would be apprieceated and i dont have the 500 bucks to spend on some of the 8 bulb t'5 lights either. but something in the 200 range would most likely work. cheaper the better thanks in advance.

 

[HuuTa]

really can't beat this http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?127350-FS-8-bulb-t-5-fixture

 

[THE WOOKIE]

look on ebay or amazon for taotronics dimmable led fixtures. i have 2 over my 75 and my coral is doing great

 

[P-Nut]

PAR38 lights (OC REEF) or T-5 HO with ATI lights.

 

[frank180reef]

there are a few people selling the LEDs as mentioned above
they might be fine for a 75 gallon

 

[frank180reef]

you could also go MH and just dont run them on hot days or get a ranco controller to shut them off at 80 f or whatever

 

[Pat02026]

The cheapo LED's aren't bad. If you want my honest opinion as against using them as I had been in the past for all the same reasons MH lights are the way to go for a young tank and while your fairly new to the hobby. You want to talk about a light thats guaranteed to work, and have your corals growing! Plus they are very reasonably priced since they are "yesterdays news". You can find a nice pair of used pendants and ballasts surprisingly cheap, as well as the combo T-5/MH fixtures. Pheonix 14k's look phenomenal, grow like crazy, and will last at least 1 year. Radium's are even better, but a little more pricy. As far as heat goes, I had issues this summer; I picked up an 8" fan at CVS and it blows across the surface of the tank while the light is on and it stays under 80* no matter how hot it is outside. Ill probably get tortured for this post, but ask many "old school" reefers that keep some of the nicest tanks you'll ever see and you will get a nod of approval.

 

[Newguy]

Thanks for everyones inputs. Very helpful as usual. Ive decided to go with huutas suggestion and pick up that fixture. Wish me luck.

 

[jarrodsanborn]

I agree with pat and others above. T5 and or halides are not going to fail a beginner.
New tech (leds) = another variable that can be wrong