4x54w T5 almost = 2X250w MH??
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sfsuphysics
Active member
Well I don't care what anyone says (lots of T5 snobs out there 
), but 4x54w t5s isn't even close to the same lighting as 2x250w MH.
Now that being said I run 4x54w T5s on my softy tank (24" tall too!), I do have a torch coral in there, but I don't keep much in the way of LPS simply because I dont want to have to worry about calcium requirements, but I don't see why it can't be done.
), but 4x54w t5s isn't even close to the same lighting as 2x250w MH.Now that being said I run 4x54w T5s on my softy tank (24" tall too!), I do have a torch coral in there, but I don't keep much in the way of LPS simply because I dont want to have to worry about calcium requirements, but I don't see why it can't be done.
..sfsuphysics
Active member
Phong, don't get me wrong, with that lighting setup you mention you'll be more than adequate to keep pretty much ANY corals, including SPS. I'm just saying that the lighting output is not equivilant (well unless you have 20kK bulbs in which case those things are so low on par a candle is almost as bright ).
If you're making the move to only softies and lps, then by all means make the move, personally I think you'll like it because the light coverage tends to be way more uniform. Replacement bulbs, 4- 54 watt bulbs (maybe $20 a bulb x 4 = $80) 2 -250w bulbs ($75 a bulb x 2 bulbs = $150) power will be cheaper as well as replacement cost for bulbs, and I'm assuming you'll need to replace them both at the same intervals which isn't true.
).If you're making the move to only softies and lps, then by all means make the move, personally I think you'll like it because the light coverage tends to be way more uniform. Replacement bulbs, 4- 54 watt bulbs (maybe $20 a bulb x 4 = $80) 2 -250w bulbs ($75 a bulb x 2 bulbs = $150) power will be cheaper as well as replacement cost for bulbs, and I'm assuming you'll need to replace them both at the same intervals which isn't true.
Mekong
Active member
I have been running 2x54watt T5 and 4x65watt PC, I have good a good growth rate IMO with some easy SPS, tons of zoos, rics and other softies and a good number of LPS. It is also enough to keep a derasa on the sand bed of my 90g. My montis and other SPS are not as bright as other tanks, but they are not brown and have a good ammount of growth.
Just thought I would add my .02
I want to upgrade to 4x54watt T5 and ditch the PCs, maybe add a 2x110vho in addition to the T5s.
Just thought I would add my .02
I want to upgrade to 4x54watt T5 and ditch the PCs, maybe add a 2x110vho in addition to the T5s.
dannieboiz
Active member
I'd go for MH, No particular reason, just because they're metal halides. :smokin:
radiolunatic
New member
Look at this TOTM which only run on T5:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/totm/index.php
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/totm/index.php
Honestly if you are going to keep the system SPS free I would start with just the 4x54W T-5 setup. I had some of my LPS get pretty ****es at me when I upgraded to all T-5. An example is an ailen eye chalice I got from Mr.Ugly at the last MARS swap. After upgrading all the lights the main body, which was brown when i first got it, started to turn white. The only way I've been able to get the color back is to put the coral in the back corner of my tank where it get no direct light at all...
I'm not sure if it's an intensity thing or an issue with spectrum, but I'm thinking intensity. Other than that most of my LPS have gotten use to it and seem to be doing great now...I've got a couple of brains, candy cane, diplo, F.Spawn, blasto meletti, chalices, a ric, and zoas...all doing really good. One thing I really like is the actinic of the T-5s on the LPS...I get some crazy colors...
All lights:
Actinic only:
And you can see Mr. Ugly's chalice in the back left...sry it's in a really hard place to take a pic...I don't think Norman has ever seen a pic of it in my tank...if you go to the full tank pic from January in my gallery you can see this same coral on the sand bed on the left and side up front...it was almost all white.
I'm not sure if it's an intensity thing or an issue with spectrum, but I'm thinking intensity. Other than that most of my LPS have gotten use to it and seem to be doing great now...I've got a couple of brains, candy cane, diplo, F.Spawn, blasto meletti, chalices, a ric, and zoas...all doing really good. One thing I really like is the actinic of the T-5s on the LPS...I get some crazy colors...
All lights:
Actinic only:
And you can see Mr. Ugly's chalice in the back left...sry it's in a really hard place to take a pic...I don't think Norman has ever seen a pic of it in my tank...if you go to the full tank pic from January in my gallery you can see this same coral on the sand bed on the left and side up front...it was almost all white.
