New 150G Setup -- Need advise

[Presto2345]

I'm setting up a 150G AGA 72L x 18D x 24H Reef Tank, and plan on keeping sps, lps, and mushrooms. Tell me what you think.

Catalina Aquarium Metal Halide Power Compact Combo
5 year warranty electronic ballast included
3 - 400 mogul basebulbs included German made Catalina Aquarium Reef Grow
Bulbs customized to:
10k bulb is bright white
15k is white with blue (most popluar)
20k - is solid blue
Unit comes with hanging brackets so you can suspend from your ceiling.
2- 140 watt vho bulbs included super actinic.
Unit has 3 chords and 3 switches so you can add the unit to a timer to implement the dawn dusk effect.
Unit has an external box for the ballast as shown in the picture to keep down on heat. With the 2 4 inch fans, external ballast and the hanging bracket or feet option.
Moonlights included - 12 - 1 watt led's on separate chord and switch- moonlights are on a dimmable switch so they can be turned up or on as much as desired.

Or do I build my own? What suggestions do you have for brand and whatnot?

[Woodstock]

Sounds like a nice plug-n-play fixture. I am not familiar with Catalina but I have enjoyed my Hamilton fixture a lot. 400 watts would be very strong!!! IMO, 250 watt MH would penetrate through 24" well enough; however, your tank is 6' long and each MH bulb only covers a 2' area. That would leave 2' of lower lit area. With careful planning, you could place the lower light demanding corals in that area

[Presto2345]

Is hamilton similar to the description i've posted?

[JFK_Jr]

I considered Catalina because my LFS had recommeded them. Heard some mixed reviews and ultimately decided to go with Hamilton. Check out http://www.marineandreef.com/ I was able to order through them cheaper than through Hamilton direct.

Dude... If I'm spending close to $1000.00 bucks on lights, I would definitely not buy them through EBay without making sure I find out exactly how that 5 year warranty works. Are you able to deal with Catalina Aquarium http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/ directly if you have a warranty issue?

Hamilton's warranty is only 1 year, but one of my ballasts went bad and they shipped me a new one in 4 days... no questions asked. Great service

[JFK_Jr]

Here's a good lighting reccomendation chart specific to tank size,

http://www.marineandreef.com/Info/lightingchart2.html

[Presto2345]

Thanks I thought the guy at the LFS was full of **** when he told me 400W halides. Especially when they were running 250W on their display tank. Your links are great help. Thanks

[lcstorc]

Check out hellolights. I just bought a coralife fixture from them. Great customer service and my tank and I love the added lighting.
I have a 6ft long 125 and went w/3 150w MH and 4 96w actinics.