Need help deciding on new lighting for my tank

[ryan111]

I started out with a 55gal tank my uncle gave me when he first introduced me to the saltwater world. About 2 years after he helped me get started he passed away and I was left to venture into the hobby on my own. I got a few of his corals to keep and then needed to upgrade my lighting on my 55gal to support the higher light needs. Im sure you are all going to cringe when I tell you that I bout a 48" lighting system from aquatraders (I was only in middle school..15 or 16yr old at this time so thats what i could afford after a whole summers worth of working for neighbors and relatives etc.) The light has 2x250 watt metal halides 4x65 power compacts with leds for moonlighting. So long story short I have since upgraded to a 130gal show tank...4ft x2ft x25 or 26" is the demensions of the tank. Its been on this larger tank for about 2 years now and have had this light for a total 6 or 7 years. I finally had the last of the original ballast give out on my i replaced the other one once and I think im more than ready to ditch the crappy quality light.

Im thinking i want to upgrade to 400watt metal halides with t5's or power compacts for my actinic lighting and some leds for moonlighting. I havent seen to many complete lighting units with 400watters so guess ill have to get seperate pendants and some sort of combination for the other lights. Any suggestions? And if i piece the different lighingt components together myself I need to somehow make a unit i can hang as one over the tank. With so many lighting options im overwhelmed! HELP

[ryan111]

....don't everyone reply at once

[Rickerpaul]

Hi
Your experience sounds cool,for your tank i recommend the led lighting if you are rich now.lol
The led lighting with legs or hanging system.good for the tank,i saw a good item in a shop in Florida.maybe you can have a try

[alton]

400's are too much go with 2 x 250w MH