• Folks, if you've recently upgraded or renewed your annual club membership but it's still not active, please reach out to the BOD or a moderator. The PayPal system has a slight bug which it doesn't allow it to activate the account on it's own.

T5 or stay with M/H

Daniel

Daniel

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Hi all I have a 180 gallon reef with Mix Coral. My lighting right now is 3 175 watt M/H and 2 VHO actinics. I was thinking of upgrading to 3 250 watt M/H.
But I have been thinking of switching to T5 lighting. (Current USA 72" 12x39w Nova Extreme Pro).
You can find info on it here http://www.championlighting.com/pro...productid=31358
I think it might not be enough light for My SPS. From my sand bed to the top of my water is 25"
Any and All info would help.
Thank you.
Daniel
 
magic

magic

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
What's the distance between the sand and the light? T5s are usually used on tanks up to 24" in depth. You can always put your sps a little higher on the lr to compensate.

Bob
 
M

mr_X

i wouldn't get the t-5's. 6x 39 watts will be over each 3' of tank. you'll also have to replace all the bulbs immediately because the current lamps are not great.
why are you changing out the 175's? are you having issues?
 
Daniel

Daniel

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
magic said:
What's the distance between the sand and the light? T5s are usually used on tanks up to 24" in depth. You can always put your sps a little higher on the lr to compensate.

Bob
Click to expand...
It is 28"
 
Daniel

Daniel

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
mr_X said:
i wouldn't get the t-5's. 6x 39 watts will be over each 3' of tank. you'll also have to replace all the bulbs immediately because the current lamps are not great.
why are you changing out the 175's? are you having issues?
Click to expand...
I am looking for some better coloring. I have 3 175 watt Blueline E-Ballast 15000K Iwasaki MH Lamp and two 72" VHO Super Actinic R
I just feel my Coral could look better.
 
N

NYCREEFER

T-5/HO are great bulbs when overdriven with Icecaps ballasts. I am looking into doing that myself. Look into it, good luck.
 
N

njstillwell

Guest
i was thinking about doing this a while back others agree some wont who cares .BUt i styaed with my MH only because i would have to change 8 bulbs of t-5's on top of buying another unit. I would change the temp of the bulbs ifrst see what that does maybe change the vho to a different color...stay with MH they are cheaper to run over a longer time and it will reach all corals in a 24 deep tank.Right now im running 2 150 DE over my 120 with 2 t-5 for actinic affects look around and get the colors temp that you like and from there
 
Edwardw771

Edwardw771

NJRC Member
I was talking to Dr. Mac this week. He is in process of switching everything to T5s. I thought that was very interesting.
 
R

reeferwanabe

I was also thinking of changing from MH. to t5's but more for the electric bill than the look. 72" aqualight with 3-150's and 4 96 watt atinics. to a 72" t5 unit not sure which one current or aquatic life
 
Sunny

Sunny

NJRC Member
Article Contributor
I have 72 inch aqualight (T5). It has a buil in timer as well as moonlights. I like it so far.

If you are considering Nova extreme Pro, do some research and read some reviews. I have seen folsk complaing about them lately.
 
JRWOHLER

JRWOHLER

Edward771 said:
I say wait for MACNA. You can ask the experts and maybe get a good deal on something cool.
Click to expand...

Check out PA as they are doing a MACNA buy. So very good idea.

I have all T5 8X54 W, I love it check out JerseyWendy's tank if you have some concerns about growing SPS under T5. Think it boils down to shimmer and heat against slightly better color less heat and electricity. More your preference than anything.
Can upgrade your VHO for better color ... can add LED for shimmer so ....your choice.
 
M

mr_X

Edward771 said:
I was talking to Dr. Mac this week. He is in process of switching everything to T5s. I thought that was very interesting.
Click to expand...
Dr Mac? he's a veterinarian LOL. what's he know about lighting?
 
Sunny

Sunny

NJRC Member
Article Contributor
JRWOHLER said:
I have all T5 8X54 W, I love it check out JerseyWendy's tank if you have some concerns about growing SPS under T5. T
Click to expand...

8X54 watt James? I have a 72 inch fixture with 8X39 watt. Mine are 36 inch bulbs. I think 54 is 48 inch? You have 8 - 4 feet bulbs?
 
Daniel

Daniel

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
I think I will call IceCap and see what I can fit in my hood that i have right now. Maybe the can do the retro fit for me.
 
Nickjr000

Nickjr000

I like the MH. T-5's don't give you the shimmer. I guess you could add some led's to get the shimmering effect but I don't know how it compares haven't seen it yet. MH been around forever if it ain't broke don't fix it. Also depends on what you wanna keep. What kind of corals do you have? Try one of the 454 vho bulbs they are nice for bringing out color
 
JRWOHLER

JRWOHLER

monroereef said:
JRWOHLER said:
I have all T5 8X54 W, I love it check out JerseyWendy's tank if you have some concerns about growing SPS under T5. T
Click to expand...

8X54 watt James? I have a 72 inch fixture with 8X39 watt. Mine are 36 inch bulbs. I think 54 is 48 inch? You have 8 - 4 feet bulbs?
Click to expand...

Yep I have 4Ft tank with the 8 bulbs.

I will have some pics up tmrw morning.
 
Daniel

Daniel

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
JRWOHLER said:
monroereef said:
JRWOHLER said:
I have all T5 8X54 W, I love it check out JerseyWendy's tank if you have some concerns about growing SPS under T5. T
Click to expand...

8X54 watt James? I have a 72 inch fixture with 8X39 watt. Mine are 36 inch bulbs. I think 54 is 48 inch? You have 8 - 4 feet bulbs?
Click to expand...

Yep I have 4Ft tank with the 8 bulbs.

I will have some pics up tmrw morning.
Click to expand...
Thanks that will be great.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top