MH or T-5HO

PteroisVolitan15B · 02-03-2010, 05:20 PM

Im looking into a new light for my 220 I came across a nice 72" fixture current usa 3 x 250w with lunars, will tha bet better than t'5s?
thanks

TRe · 02-03-2010, 06:54 PM

depends really.... with T5 you can get some crazy bulb combos for sick colors but no shimmer... with MH you get plenty of PAR and the nice shimmer but than you have to consider heat issues you may have

Lorna · 02-04-2010, 09:58 AM

If thinking of this light fixture look into the light brackets that they sell to suspend the light over the tank as this fixture is very very heavy and you will need to raise or lower it to work on the tank.......just my 2 cents worth.

Lotus · 02-04-2010, 08:52 PM

One problem with T5s is the length. If the tank is 72", you'd need to get two 36" fixtures.

We went for T5, mostly for the power consumption, heat issue and bulb options. It's a tricky decision, though. I don't think one is necessarily better than another for all people or situations.

As Lorna says, think about how you'll access the tank, too.

susieq728 · 02-08-2010, 07:17 PM

Are all T5's created equal? Is it better to have a higher wattage, etc. depending on the depth of your tank what's in it? I've been struggling on a lighting decision myself.

Lotus · 02-08-2010, 10:10 PM

If you want to go T5, you definitely need to get the right fixture. A lot of that will depend on the tank size and the types of corals you want to keep.

We got an 8 x 54 watt fixture for our 110g tank. I doubt you'd want to go fewer than six bulbs on medium to large tanks.

Also, individual reflectors make a big difference.

Take the time to make sure you know what you want for a fixture and the bulb mix before you put any money down. We're always willing to give advice on our experiences with various fixtures. It's one thing you need to research thoroughly so you spend your money wisely.

susieq728 · 02-09-2010, 09:15 PM

I appreciate it! Well I really want just the bubble anemone for now. I know I am DEF not ready for a reef tank! If I get any corals, they will be just a few, if any. The light I was looking at stretches all the way across my 55 gal. and has 2 bulbs in it with reflectors in both. I just wanted something that would be good for my anem and for my fishy friends! But I'm taking TRe's advice and buying the calcuim test kit this Fri. too along with some green algae for my coral beauty, puffer, etc. Oh yeah, I did order some eel grass from ebay. I figured that would be ok in there. And I have about 17 lbs. more live rock coming in this week as well. I have some ployps that were already on a piece of rock I got from my ebay supplier that a few are still alive, I'm hoping a more adaquate light source will help those little guys. The light I've got will be here Fri. It was like $180!

TRe · 02-09-2010, 09:49 PM

susieq-
adding 17lbs of new rock to your tank MAY cause an ammonia spike

susieq728 · 02-09-2010, 10:10 PM

Ahhh! Btw, I tested again last night my amm. is down from 1.0 to 0.25 in 2 days. I was thinking of getting something to treat the water to help take some of it out. The rock should be here Wed. or so. U think if it spiked it would be fine by Sat. or even Sun.? The shop won't mind keeping my bubble for me until it straightens out. I was going to do a 10-15% water change this weekend. I figure after that so long of not doing one, it can't hurt!

TRe · 02-10-2010, 05:31 AM

dont add anything until the ammonia reads zero

02-03-2010, 05:20 PM	#1
PteroisVolitan15B Little Fish Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Owensboro, KY Posts: 127	MH or T-5HO Im looking into a new light for my 220 I came across a nice 72" fixture current usa 3 x 250w with lunars, will tha bet better than t'5s? thanks __________________ 44 Gal Pentagon-QT 220 Gal- Pair Ocellaris Clowns, Pair Maroon Clowns,Yellow Tang, Blonde Naso Tang, Palani Tang, Hippo Tang,Powder Blue Tang, 2 Blue Damsels, 2 Firefish, Sixline Wrasse, Royal Gramma, Foxface, Coral Beauty Angel, CUC Crew,Coral Banded Shrimp, Gold Coral Banded Shrimp, 2 Emerald Crabs, Two Skunk Cleaner Shrimps,and Green Brittle Star, Zoas, Mushrooms, Frogspawn, Candy Cane Coral, GSP, Button Polyps

02-03-2010, 06:54 PM	#2
TRe Super Fish Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: ft. lauderdale Posts: 3,411	depends really.... with T5 you can get some crazy bulb combos for sick colors but no shimmer... with MH you get plenty of PAR and the nice shimmer but than you have to consider heat issues you may have __________________ 82g Reef 48x22x18 - 2 X 250w MH, MSX extreme 160, Aqua controller jr, Natureef doser/2 part, Koralia3 & modded MJ900, Po4 reactor, Kalk reactor, ATO, 60g sump/frag tank (4 bulb 24" T5's over frag tank) 125g for sale! 300g SOLD!

02-04-2010, 09:58 AM	#3
Lorna Super Fish Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 3,044	If thinking of this light fixture look into the light brackets that they sell to suspend the light over the tank as this fixture is very very heavy and you will need to raise or lower it to work on the tank.......just my 2 cents worth. __________________ 75g reef 29g reef Living the salty side of life

02-04-2010, 08:52 PM	#4
Lotus Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 14,778	One problem with T5s is the length. If the tank is 72", you'd need to get two 36" fixtures. We went for T5, mostly for the power consumption, heat issue and bulb options. It's a tricky decision, though. I don't think one is necessarily better than another for all people or situations. As Lorna says, think about how you'll access the tank, too. __________________ Lotus and Ecotank's tanks "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

02-08-2010, 10:10 PM	#6
Lotus Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 14,778	If you want to go T5, you definitely need to get the right fixture. A lot of that will depend on the tank size and the types of corals you want to keep. We got an 8 x 54 watt fixture for our 110g tank. I doubt you'd want to go fewer than six bulbs on medium to large tanks. Also, individual reflectors make a big difference. Take the time to make sure you know what you want for a fixture and the bulb mix before you put any money down. We're always willing to give advice on our experiences with various fixtures. It's one thing you need to research thoroughly so you spend your money wisely. __________________ Lotus and Ecotank's tanks "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

02-08-2010, 07:17 PM	#5
susieq728 Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Midway, GA Posts: 44	Are all T5's created equal? Is it better to have a higher wattage, etc. depending on the depth of your tank what's in it? I've been struggling on a lighting decision myself.

02-09-2010, 09:15 PM	#7
susieq728 Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Midway, GA Posts: 44	I appreciate it! Well I really want just the bubble anemone for now. I know I am DEF not ready for a reef tank! If I get any corals, they will be just a few, if any. The light I was looking at stretches all the way across my 55 gal. and has 2 bulbs in it with reflectors in both. I just wanted something that would be good for my anem and for my fishy friends! But I'm taking TRe's advice and buying the calcuim test kit this Fri. too along with some green algae for my coral beauty, puffer, etc. Oh yeah, I did order some eel grass from ebay. I figured that would be ok in there. And I have about 17 lbs. more live rock coming in this week as well. I have some ployps that were already on a piece of rock I got from my ebay supplier that a few are still alive, I'm hoping a more adaquate light source will help those little guys. The light I've got will be here Fri. It was like $180!

02-09-2010, 09:49 PM	#8
TRe Super Fish Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: ft. lauderdale Posts: 3,411	susieq- adding 17lbs of new rock to your tank MAY cause an ammonia spike __________________ 82g Reef 48x22x18 - 2 X 250w MH, MSX extreme 160, Aqua controller jr, Natureef doser/2 part, Koralia3 & modded MJ900, Po4 reactor, Kalk reactor, ATO, 60g sump/frag tank (4 bulb 24" T5's over frag tank) 125g for sale! 300g SOLD!

02-09-2010, 10:10 PM	#9
susieq728 Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Midway, GA Posts: 44	Ahhh! Btw, I tested again last night my amm. is down from 1.0 to 0.25 in 2 days. I was thinking of getting something to treat the water to help take some of it out. The rock should be here Wed. or so. U think if it spiked it would be fine by Sat. or even Sun.? The shop won't mind keeping my bubble for me until it straightens out. I was going to do a 10-15% water change this weekend. I figure after that so long of not doing one, it can't hurt!

02-10-2010, 05:31 AM	#10
TRe Super Fish Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: ft. lauderdale Posts: 3,411	dont add anything until the ammonia reads zero __________________ 82g Reef 48x22x18 - 2 X 250w MH, MSX extreme 160, Aqua controller jr, Natureef doser/2 part, Koralia3 & modded MJ900, Po4 reactor, Kalk reactor, ATO, 60g sump/frag tank (4 bulb 24" T5's over frag tank) 125g for sale! 300g SOLD!