T5's vs. MH

[!v@n]

So whats the difference between them? Pro's & Con's of each? Other than a shimmer what else about MH's is better or not better?

[jhAWK21]

removed


IMO MH gives better light deeper in your tank = better growth and better colors.
It comes down to preference and set up.
I prefer a canopy so T-5 are good for me... For now anyway.

[!v@n]

thanks that's the kind of input i was looking for, someone with experience using one type of light or the other.

[DaveMorris]

It would be a good idea to just move on and leave the insults out. None of it has anything to do with the pros and cons of T5's vs. MH's. If you didn't like the answer, why not just ignore it instead of dragging it down the path of twelve year olds?

FWIW...I prefer the look of MH and their ability to penetrate deeper into the tank. I have a 30" deep tank, so I need the brightness. I run two 250w 14k's and two 400w 14k's. Looks great.

[barometer]

.....grrr, missed

[!v@n]

thanks Dave, I have two 400w MH's for my 125 its about 24" tall. I think that will be plenty. I just wanted other people's input. Also im a little concerned about heat and what my electric bill is gonna be.

[DaveMorris]

What kind of reflector? Two 400w may be a bit much, but the shape of your tank is a little tricky. I am using Lumenarc mini's on my 300g and they fit perfect.

[!v@n]

one is a PFO reflector and the other i dunno

[SDguy]

I use PFO reflectors on my tank. My only complaint is that because I keep them low to the water surface, there isn't a whole lot of spread and consequently my corals end up with very pronounced "light and dark" sides to them.

[!v@n]

Your tank is pretty tall though Peter. Would it be the same situation with mine since its only 24" tall. I wanna keep the light up away from the water.

[gjunon]

got to love the color of MH

[Redeye]

The color and GLOW of t5's have won me over
I use both, but would like to only use t5's in the future
MH cost you $60-100 to change the color of the light
T5 usally about $20 a bulb or cheaper, and you have MANY more options of color spectrum and combos

[odysseysteve]

You don't have to go without shimmer when using T5 lighting. I added LED lights to augment my T5's and have some decent shimmer. Granted it is not on par with MH shimmer, but it is not flat light.

[!v@n]

im not too concerned with the shimmer effect. I'm more concerned about my electric bill. I'm gonna be running a combo MH's and PC's

[scooterpipe]

That's what I have been running since November 120gal 2x2x48 with 2 250 and 6 t5- ice cap 660 ballasts. I have them on and of in different configs depending on time of day.
you will love it. I reccomend putting one 4" ice cap thermastatic fans on each side of canopy to keep cool. Hood never get avove 95 deg with all lights on. Good Luck!