T5 or MH? 120g

[ThrowinRoost89]

im looking at the aquatinics consellation or solar flare fixture
OR
the Current Usa outer orbit, 2x 250w(or even 150)/T5 combo hood.
both are about the same price, and Drsfosteraandsmith.com is having a sale on the outer orbit fixture.


its a 48x24x25 AGA 120g tank.
corals:
kenya tree
colt coral
GBTA
paly
leather
GSP
xenia
mushrooms


i dont plan on SPS, but i do not know much about them or if i would even like them.

but i would like a clam.


what is the cheapest most effective route? i do not want to run a chiller or jack the electric bill $50.

[Cozen89]

Break it down. Both fixtures you say are about the same price right?

Constellation:

54watt x 7= 378watts for constellation
Bulb replacement 7 x $21 (average) = $147 every 1.5 years
built in fans

MH fixture:

250watt x 2 = 500watt + say 2 t5 actinics = 608watts MH
Bulb replacement 2 x $70 + 2 x 21= $182 every 10-12 months
no built in fans

I leave the decision to you.

Other cheaper alternatives are Lumenarc Reflectors and Icecap t5 retro kits.

[ThrowinRoost89]

what is best suitable for my needs?

i thought overdriven T5's needed replaces every 12months also?
so bulbs cost about the same



i was planning on going t5's but im not overwhelmed by the fixtures. the metal halides come with all the gadgets.

the current fixture because it comes with 18 moon lights and a built in timer. and is listed to have a cooling fan.


the main question:
what one is best for the corals i have/plan