Lighting Advice--solutions

[J58442]

I have 60" Hamiltom German power Compact under my Canopy(8 55watts with two seperate blasts 4 lights in each)
I need to replace the lights at $240 also thinking of better lighting. What can add or subtract to improve my lighting? also where to get a good price on Hamilton bulbs?(100Gallons reef tank)

[73ChargerFan]

Depending on what you're keeping, you can continue with PC lighting. Other brand bulbs will work also, so long as you get the correct pin configuration, straight pins or square pins. Hellolights.com (http://hellolights.com) is where I purchase my VHO bulbs, and their pc bulbs are only $22 each.

Besides PC lighting, VHO remains popular, but I don't think they're necessarily any better.

T5 flourescent lights are the newest technology... check out Reefgeek.com. (http://reefgeek.com) A 60" retro kit is $999. Ouch.

Far and away, the most popular lighting (for SPS corals at least) is metal halide. 2 250w light sets and some VHO actinic supplementation could cost between $300 and $1000. But you'll probably be better off in the long run, as MH is the most expensive initially, but cheaper in terms of price per lumen and bulb replacement.

Check out the postings in the Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment forum (http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=212) here on RC for some in depth discussions on lighting requirements and products.