lighting opinions needed

[wah-zoh]

i just got my MH's up and running, and i am not really liking the effect it gives. the heat they put out are a concern as well. the tank temp is staying stable but i was reading the bulbs get 2000 deg!!!!! i am thinking about switching to all t5's. would a 6 bulb 330 watt t5 HO combo be enough lighting to keep a mixed reef? i have 2 t5's running now i would be adding 4 more bulbs 2 more ballasts. my tank is a 125 long tank it would be retro fit into my canopy. maybe I'm jumping the gun on the halides i just dont like the heat they put out when running, and it's almost to bright to look into the tank.

 

[Willistein]

Are they 175s or 250s? Do you have A/C? Is there a basement sump? With a sump in a cool location and some fans, the 2 halides may not even be enough to keep the tank up to temp.

 

[wah-zoh]

they are 2x 250watts, and the tank is in the basement. i have no problem with the tank temp at all, i am more worried about lamp temp and splashing type thing. thats not really the main reason of wanting to switch it's more the effect it gives. i look into the tank and i have to squint because it's so bright. i think the t5's will give a better view and less worries overall.

 

[wah-zoh]

but i am wondering if the set up i am thinking would be enough light. 6x54watt 48" bulbs. it would be powered off 3 seperate t5 HO ballasts

 

[Bluephish13]

I would do a retro with some small 2" slr's and waterproof ends. Start with 6 then if you want more just add more.

 

[wah-zoh]

thats what i have on my 2 t5's now and it covers the tank well. i figured 4 more would be enough light, but so many conflicting reviews online i wanted to see peoples experience with them.

 

[Bluephish13]

lol your MH are too bright and i think my t5's are too bright.

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

I prefer 175 Watt Halides with other supplemental lighting with them like T5's / PCs.

Or an ALL T5 set up if you like that, there are great color hues & Kelvin combinations.

But even on your present Halides- what's your Kelvin rating?

10K ? 14K ? 20K ?

14 or 20 are going to be a bit less bright even at the same wattage.

14K is a good middle ground daylight with still plenty of blue usually.
20K usually is quite a bit dimmer looking & more blue, (deeper water effect)

You may want to check that Kelvin.. ? If your 10K at 250W it may be a bit bright for your tastes.

(I didn't like 10K even with 175 watt.)

6-8 T5's will do just fine over the 125. (retro style)

Personally I run 175 Watt 14K MH's with 2 VHO's(1 actinic, 1 pink) and 2 super actinic T5's & with 1 double purple PC. Over my 125.

T5's are great lighting and I think you can keep anything with them alone.
As long as you got enough wattage. You don't "need" MH.

But I do prefer to still keep MH with mine, especially for the shimmer effect.
Depending on your reflectors (preferably singular for each T5 bulb) you can still get some shimmer from T5's. But NOT like the superb shimmer from MH.

Either way, unless your tank is much deeper than a 125 long is, you don't really need 250 W halides.

I would either get a 175 W Halide set with T5 sups.

Or go ALL T5's.

 

[wah-zoh]

ok thank you for the info. and i do have 14k color. i like the color it puts out it is blueish but still very bright. maybe i will give it a week or 2 to try and get used to it. i am going from power compacts to a T5 combo with halides now.