metal halides with t5 lights ?

[lbraggs]

I had a reef tank about 10 years ago setup with mh and hang on filters but now have time to start up a new one I have a 220 gal that I'm setting up that come with t5 but kinda leaning back to mh thinking about trying both of them anyone have an opinion on that or should I just stick to one

 

[thegrun]

I've seen and kept great tanks that use both T-5s and MH lighting, although I've come to prefer LED lighting myself.

 

[whosurcaddie]

LED's are the way to go now. No heat less electricity and no bulb changes. LED's don't quite have as nice a look as halides but they're real close. The positives outweigh the negatives for sure.

I just wanted to add if you're intent on sticking with halides I would do a combo t5 halide system.

 

[Bcrowe2012]

There are a lot of beautiful systems that utilize both t5's and metal halides.

 

[toothybugs]

I might be way off but it seems most of the top-of-the-line systems are running combo lighting - MH/ T5 or MH/ LED, or T5/ LED. Or big, dimmable T5 systems. Some guys crank it to 11 and run MH/ T5/ LED systems too.