T-5 Or Mh??

[SDFISHMAN]

My new tank is 36L/15W/24T.. What would work better T-5's or a Pendant 250W MH?? I have 4 clams but would the light be good enough for the clams in the sand?

[dhuynh]

I was thought that T5s are good up to 28" in depth. I'm still researching T5s because they seem to have some advantages over MH. So far, here's my impression:

T5s:
- cheaper to run because of the lower waltage
- less heat
- brighter? (have not compare side-by-side w/ MH)
- Faster coral growth because of 10K daylight/actinics versus 20K MH.
- no shimmering effects like MH (aesthetic)
- bulbs last a little longer than MH

MH:
- less equipment to set up. You'll only need one.
- known technology, proven to work well w/ sps and clams
- bulbs are cheaper because you'll only have to replace 1 bulb instead of 4 or 6 like the T5s.
- runs hotter, so will need a fan or chiller in the summer months

For your tank, I would do 1x250MH because the difference in saving is not a lot and you'll get the nice shimmering effects in the water.

[dhuynh]

Seems like everyone is looking at T5s now huh? Does anyone know why T5s getting so much attention? When did T5 come out? When did MH come out?

[SDFISHMAN]

Thanks Danny..

[IgotCrabs]

For $20 bucks each as opposed to 1 $50 or so for a power compact bulb, i had to try them out and i am a big fan. no more crazy evaporation in my tank either. i can't house a mh in my canopy so..

[SDFISHMAN]

I had T-5 before and liked them.. The only thing is I'm trying to keep the top open so theres nothing in the way.. I think maybe a pendant would work good but the tank is deep so I might need T-5's to light up the lower parts of the tank..

[Dakota]

I like MH better. You get the single light source shimmer effect, and you can always use a nice 10K bulb with some t-5 actinic to blue it up. I think you'll get better growth, but you can use a 14K bulb, scratch the actinic, and get better color. I've seen some beautiful T-5 tanks, so don't get me wrong. I just LOVE the shimmer effect of MH.

[Dakota]

t-5s and MH have been around for ever I think....

[dhuynh]

SDFISHMAN,

I have extra 250W MH if you want to try them out. You're welcome to use and see what it looks like in your tank and compare them with your old T5s. You might want to get a new bulb for it though. The old bulb work, but might be a little faded. LMK.

-Danny

[dhuynh]

Would you give up the shimmering effect to save $200/month?


I like MH better. You get the single light source shimmer effect, and you can always use a nice 10K bulb with some t-5 actinic to blue it up. I think you'll get better growth, but you can use a 14K bulb, scratch the actinic, and get better color. I've seen some beautiful T-5 tanks, so don't get me wrong. I just LOVE the shimmer effect of MH.

[BigAir]

This has been on my mind as well. What is the cost difference between CP or T5 as opposed to MH. I know it is alot, but rough numbers are appreciated.
I have PC now, but have been wondering about MH.

[SDFISHMAN]

Sounds good Brady.. Lets see some number before they appear on my electric bill.. Might as well just buy a RC car hahha..

[M. Parkis]

I use T5's only on my softy tanks (14 to 18 inches deep) so I do not have first hand experiance, but I had to take back a clam from FishProf because his T5's would not support it. The clam was pale gray and within two weeks under Metal Halide lighting it colored up again just fine.
I like The T5's for smaller tanks (60 and under) but still think that the Metal Halide work better for larger tanks. (Just my 2 Cent's) One last note it's easy to get carried away squeezing just one more T5 over a tank. I have a standard 60 that has eight 54watt T5's (432watts)! when I free up cash I'll be changing them for two 175watt Metal Halides.....:)

[iwantone]

Go with the T5's and add a small 150 or 75 watt MH for the shimmer.

[dhuynh]

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=75

[BigAir]

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=75


That was a pretty good read, Thank You.

[Dakota]

Would you give up the shimmering effect to save $200/month?

uh.. where are you getting $200/month!? A 250 watt bulb requires 250 watts of electricity... a 250 watt group of PCs take the same amount.

I have a 250watt halide on one tank, and a 150 watt on my other tank (also 110 watts of PC). . . when I switched from my 220 watts of PC.. I barely saw an increase in price.. I think I run my tank for like $20/month. . . I saved like 3-5 bucks when I used PCs...

[dhuynh]

That's the increase in $$ I got when I switched from VHO to MH. I'm currently running 1400W w/ all my MH. When I switch to T5s, I'll be using about half that.

If you follow the manufacturer's suggestion, then "yeah", no savings because they tell you to replace a 150W MH w/ 3x54W T5s, which is the same cost to run.

Sorry. I should have been clearer.


uh.. where are you getting $200/month!? A 250 watt bulb requires 250 watts of electricity... a 250 watt group of PCs take the same amount.

I have a 250watt halide on one tank, and a 150 watt on my other tank (also 110 watts of PC). . . when I switched from my 220 watts of PC.. I barely saw an increase in price.. I think I run my tank for like $20/month. . . I saved like 3-5 bucks when I used PCs...

[Dakota]

Oh I get it now... eek. $200. . . In your case, I think the shimmering effect can be sacraficed.... The colors still look amazing under t5s

[mmoore0803]

I have a 48" 6 light tek fixture and I love it on my 90g. I currently have a wide array of corals (mixed reef) and all seem to love the light...I set it up with 2 65ks, 3 blueplus, and 1 10k.

[[Cruzer]]

If you follow the manufacturer's suggestion, then "yeah", no savings because they tell you to replace a 150W MH w/ 3x54W T5s, which is the same cost to run.

Sorry. I should have been clearer.

One other thing people tend not to remember is if you use a retro kit and a Icecap 660 or 430 ballast. It will overdrive the bulbs to a higher wattage.
I don't have the exact figures (don't have premium account at RC so I can't do a freakin search) but if my memory serves me correctly. if you run 2 80w on a 430 ballast. the lights will actually run at 102 watts each. And with lower wattage bulbs even a higher ratio. Like 54w lights will be overdriven at 83w. Something like that. So in this case to get a 150W of lights you would only need 2 54W lights on an ICECAP ballast. Remember the numbers are not exact, just from what I can recall from when I did my initial research.

Hope that helps

Richie