Honestly, would you do MH or T5 over a 20H?

[reefscape15]

What are you doing for the setup again? Are you going to retrofit or just get a fixture? I would think a retrofit would allow you to fit 6 or so with individual reflectors. There wouldn't be much room left for LED moonlights though, if you did that.

 

[Newreeflady]

Hey Jim-

I'm actually not looking to light this like a stadium- I want to try a little lower light so I'm starting with two and if I need two more I'll add them. I highly doubt I'd want 6

I have LED moonlights & LED actinics as well.

The tank is drilled so I'll be plumbing it soon, yay!! Feel free to make suggestions of course.

Angela

 

[pimpinitup6969]

i would go with the MH they are tried and true! and with the led actinics the colors really pop

 

[Newreeflady]

Yeah, I'll see how I like the T5 since it's on its way and I'm building a not-too-tall canopy. I did a 70W halide over a 12g and hated it- not many options in bulb colors and honestly not terribly bright. If anything I'd trade my 250W fixture for a 150W if I really hate the T5s.

Angela

 

[reefscape15]

You could easily fit a DE halide in your hood if your only doing a few t-5's, but if you really need more light on a 20, i'd have to suggest just adding more t-5. Halides are awesome, and i'll probably never have another tank without them, but if it was another smaller one i may have to reconsider

 

[Newreeflady]

Yep, we'll see I am probably not looking at sps but instead lps & softies, so I might get away with less light- it'll probably come down to aesthetics in the end...

-A

 

[reefscape15]

HAHA!!!! I think thats what everyone says till that one day you walk through a store and just stop..."I'm getting that!!!!!" well, thats what happens to me. I have plans to get something i've wanted, and end up with a bunch of frags and forget what i was getting in the first place! Either way, I think u know what you want. I'm totally looking forward to some pics!!!!

 

[Newreeflady]

Yeah, I know how it is (I'm 7 years into the hobby at this point!) Definitely there will be pix- I've just gotta search for a new camera.

-Angela

 

[drbronx]

Here is an interesting thread that I referenced regarding the issue of relative heat transfer from MH vs t-5 lamps. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1330449&perpage=25&highlight=wattHad I read this thread more thoroughly, I would not have concluded what I stated earlier in this thread. Daveverdo stated the issue very clearly and succinctly. I am glad he caught this so that I did not spread misinformation as unfortunately so often happens on these forums.