current outer orbit mh/pcs vs. outer orbtit mh/t5s

[vangoghfish]

Wanted some input on preferences to the current outer orbit fixtures, with 150 watt mh, and 4 x 96 watt pcs, vs. with the current outer orbit 150 mh with 8x 39w t5s.
Can you get the same color bulbs for the pcs as you can for the t5?
Also would the PCs get hotter than the T5s?
Please give me your opinions.

 

[Entropy]

IMO you are better off with the t5's. They have a broader selection of brands and colors. I would guess in a fixture like the orbit, heat would be similar, but the T5's should be brighter (even if the reflectors are not that great)

 

[vangoghfish]

Thanks, that is what I was leaning towards, curious to see some other opinions thanks.

 

[THE ROOK]

Go with the T-5's. Just bought one myself. You'll be able to swap out a couple of the actinic t-5's to get even better color/growth from your tank.

 

[tufacody]

I have the 250 watt version. Say what you will about the reflector, but the thing is incredibly bright.

 

[vangoghfish]

tafucody, do you the pcs or t5 with the 250s, what length?

 

[Guygettnby]

go with the T5 version hands down winner there. i had the PC version and i ripped the PC assembally out in favor of a t5 retro in its place. i have never been happier since i did it. everything in my tank pops and the growth is so much better. the selection of bulbs is reason enough the go T5 but if you need more reasons then there is a long list.

1: better bulb selection
2: less heat
3: better par
4: better growth
5: better color
6: less expensive to run ( this is based on my electric bill when i swithed)

need i say more.... i am sure the are more reasons out there but that is just a few.

 

[vangoghfish]

Thanks Guygettnby, what are your thoughts on no mh at all, all t5s, such as the nova extreme pro, I am talking about the 72", with 12 39w t5s, or the Constellation Series Aquactinics 72" 14 lamp T5 fixture?

 

[THE ROOK]

I run 700 watts over my tank. I could have lit my tank for 324 watts of SLR T-5's & still kept just about any type of coral. That's a pretty big electrical savings. Damn impulse buys.

 

[vangoghfish]

so you are leaning towards using all t5s, in your opinion?

 

[Guygettnby]

i personally love MH lights. but there are many advantages to only running T5 lighting as well. honestly i dont ever see myself NOT using MH lights on my tanks. there is nothing wrong with only T5 lights though. i had considered that myself and if it were not for me getting a killer deal on this light i might have gone all t5's. the only real help i could give you if you decide to run only T5 lights is to buy a good quality fixture with individual reflectors and make sure the fixture has 2 sets of switches so you can run atinic only or daylight only.

so basicly if you go with a MH fixture i would go for MH and T5 over PC anyday of the week. if you go all T5 wich is still a great setup, make sure to spend the money were it is needed and get a good quality fixture with individual reflectors.

 

[jhoff]

All T5 go with an ATI
MH + T5 go with new hamilton tech belize sun

 

[herozero]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15047439#post15047439 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tufacody
I have the 250 watt version. Say what you will about the reflector, but the thing is incredibly bright.

If you had the stock 10k light, that's why it is bright! I swapped it for a 14k phoenix, much nicer on the eyes IMO.

 

[vangoghfish]

OK, I need some other opinions, which fixture, would all of you say is better, the current nova 72" Nova extreme pro, with 12 39w t5s, or the Constellation Series Aquactinics 72" with 1439w T5s fixture

 

[vangoghfish]

the aquactinics has 14 x 39w t5s

 

[tufacody]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15049062#post15049062 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by herozero
If you had the stock 10k light, that's why it is bright! I swapped it for a 14k phoenix, much nicer on the eyes IMO.

I've had two outer orbits. The first came with a very yellow halide. The one I have now is a very nice blue-white. Both were stock bulbs, so go figure. This is a newly set up tank with Marco, but I think the white rock does a good job illustratrating that this current bulb has little yellow to it. Frankly, I love it:

BTW, the picture is very representative of how the tank really looks.

 

[vangoghfish]

nice, nothing like a new clean sand bed, huh?

 

[tufacody]

you got that right! Tank was just set up over the weekend. I know it will purple up in no time, but I have to admit a part of me wishes it would stay just like this, lol.

 

[gladiator_sgi]

I am also in the debate over ATI T5 8 bulb or Current Outer Orbit MH/T5 for my 75g tank. They are close in price, but Current comes with 18 lunar lights, which is kind of nice since I stay up late studying. How ever I think I can get away with having no chiller with the ATI setup, less power used, less noise (factoring in the chiller), and more bulb flexibility . What do you gays/gals think???

 

[THE ROOK]

I would think a quality 6 bulb T-5 would be enough for a 75. I would like to try one myself.