MH vs. T-5

I agree with Burnt, MH in the end is the best all around lighting you can get. In a balanced large system a ton of people use BOTH. However in a smaller system MH is the way to go, and I wouldn't go back to my T5s. The T5s are fantastic though, but just don't compare in the long run. However this is contentious.
 
I have the tek t5 8 bulb fixture and I love it, but I do also like halides. Both have their ups and downs, but IMO t-5
 
As you can see there is a MH camp and a T5 camp. We rarely agree. Although I do think that a combination of both is the ideal setup. However that being said, MH is >usually< better at depth penetration and intensity. However as stated T5s can be better for color, but that is TOTALLY subjective. What one person likes color wise is not the same as the other.

I went with MH because most propagators also use the same thing for the health of their system such as LiveAquaria etc. However a nice T5 setup will more then do the job in most cases.
 
IMO, T5 lighting is better than MH because they have a wider range of spectrum, less heat output, less wattage and bulbs are cheaper to replace. MH lighting is good when you have a great reflector, other than that, you'll have hot spots.
 
Don't assume halides penetrate better than T5's because they don't.

On a smaller tank you are limited on the number of T5 lamps you can use so a lot of times a Halide end up being a better choice if heat and power consumption arent major concerns.
 
I think they both have there ups and downs. I also think it depends on the tank they going on (size), what is going in the tank, and color prefreence, etc. The biggest problem I have seen with T-5's is they only come in certain lenghts, limiting the tanks or configurations they can be used for. But with that being said I am at the start of a tank build for a 42x42 or 48x42 with a 30 depth that will be lit with t-5's. So if the thought isput into the layout of the t-5's you light the same if not better than MH because of less heat and power draw. IMO
 
Andrew, I have 3-bulb T5HO setup on my 37H using Icecap reflectors. I am more or less happy with the light. It is difficult to light a 37H because it's 30" long and 24" high - hard to get lights that penetrate. The T5s with Icecaps do well enough... but I have been thinking about switching to a 150w halide with T5 supplementation. Why? Honestly, I guess it's because I'm just never satisfied. Don't get me wrong, all of my corals are growing extremely well - much more so than under the old power compacts I had. The T5s provide plenty of light and I'm extremely happy with them. As for SPS - I can't say. I don't have any, nor do I have the inclination to keep any. All of my LPS and soft corals are great though.
 
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