Another lighting upgrade post

[shanet1975]

Well.....Not so ready to order I guess....I did order 40 sockets. I will order 40 lights as well. I am thinking 20 blues 17 cool whites and 3 warm whites. I am going to be building the canopy I believe. The length is 72 inches. Wondering if anyone can tell me what kind of spread these have? I may just have to order one to see, but trying to get a good idea about the layout. I will do 3 rows. 12 in the center section and 10 in the end 2 sections (have a couple left over). Not sure how far in the ends in front to back to have them. Was thinking maybe 6 inches in have the first 2, then 4 inches from the front and 4 from the back.

 

[shanet1975]

OK. Boils down to this. I want to make sure I do the right thing and don't waste money. The wife hates it when I do that I had my heart set on the gu10 leds diy in a custom canopy. Was planning on 40 4x1watt or 3x1 watt mixture or blues and whites. Would add if I had to. This would be about 300 bucks or so total. Maybe a touch more. Or go with 2 of these:

http://www.aquatraders.com/18-inch-Metal-Halide-System-p/54242.htm

on the ends and one of these in the middle:

http://www.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-24in-Metal-Halide-with-T5-Extendable-Serie-p/54244.htm

Not much more for the mh's. I know oddysea is not known for quality, but.....if I have to replace one it's only 100 bucks. This is slightly more.

Any input would be greatly appreciated....

 

[Reef_Wizard]

If you have canopy and want DIY light, MH kit (spider reflector, ballast and bulb) would be *cheaper* and *better* than Odyssea fixture. Or you can add DIY T5 to DIY LED you are planning on doing.

 

[shanet1975]

Thanks again.....
Too many options......I am building the canopy tonight. I guess I'll have to decide soon. I hear led's shimmer even more so than mh. But mh are proven. Ugh.........
Anyone else have any input.....