compact fluorescent or MH?

[mrbubbles]

i was wondering if a 175watt w/14k bulb, metal halide, would be better than my 130w orbit compact fluorescent on my standard 29g. i am planning on upgradeing my lighting with a metal halide and didn't know if this would be much of an upgrade.

right now i have a some neon candy canes, frogspawn, gsp, zoos, rics, and xenia under the orbit. my bulbs need to be replaced and instead of replaceing them i want to upgrade to a MH.

[mckeec]

Do you want to upgrade because the corals you have currently are not doing well and you think this will help? I would think your current lighting would be fine for what you have. If you intent to get into the SPS then I would say upgrade, otherwise save your money. Just my opinion.

[silvers]

IMO a big step up you mau need to be carefull aclimating your coral. I was running a 175w 10k ushio on my 22g from the start then went to a 250w XM 20k becouse I had it laying around I did not have any ill effects probly becouse of the temp diffrence.

[dsn112]

It all depends how your corals are doing, are they growing? How is the coloring.

I have a 4 bulb t5 unit on my 28g and love it. MH bulbs create alot more heat and use way more energy. I would think twice about just upgrading to upgrade.

[warrenm107]

The metal halide lighting will be an improvment, I run 1 250 watt and 4 96 watt power compact light on a 125 gallon mixed reef. I put the more light hungry specimens under the halide.