MH vs T5 help

[Lyotim88]

I've been pretty set on the ATI sunpower 6x54w for my 90 for a while now, but i've recently been strongly considering going MH instead. I want to be able to keep whatever i want, mostly LPS and some SPS. From my understanding, these are pretty much the pros and cons..

MH: pros-shimmer, intensity cons-heat, energy consumption, expensive lamps

T5: Pros-bulb selections, runs cooler, less fragile what are the cons for t5's?

I'm not looking to skimp by any means, but i am certainly trying to be budget-conscious and get the best for my money. My budget is about $650, but if i could get a quality fixture thats worth it, i would certainly love to spend less. Obviously i don't know anything about halides, but it seems everybody that uses them wouldn't have it any other way. I am also considering buying a used fixture off of the selling forum. Basically i'm just a little insecure purchasing something so important that i know little about. Any help is appreciated. ps. please keep it simple, i'm not looking for links to hundreds of pages of information, just some personal insight. Thank you

 

[romsoccer12]

i honestly think t5's are the way to go. the actinics are so intense in mine and they make everything look amazing. i really dont find anything that cool looking about the shimmer affect. you can keep any coral with t5's and they will still thrive. IMO MH's have that big bulky generator and are a pain with electricity. gl on your decision and i say t5s are the way to go

 

[thegrun]

T5s are fine if your tank isn't deep or you do not plan on keeping clams. SPS corals do fine under T5s although you may need to keep them higher in the tank. That said, I run MH with CF actinics, I like the shimmer and intensity of the light.

 

[Lyotim88]

thanks. It's called a ballast btw. I guess i should've named this thread " Why MH's?" So, yea, for you guys running them, why?

 

[lmsmith]

I have T5s on 1 tank and MHs on a smaller tank. I thought I liked the T5s, but I much much prefer the shimmer on the MHs. I got the units really cheap. I don't know so much about the electricity consumption issue.

 

[Lyotim88]

thanks thegrun. See that's the thing, you said"t5's are fine if.." There's a damn good chance i'm going to want a clam eventually, so i'm not sure... any other insight?

 

[romsoccer12]

you can keep clams with t5's..

 

[KarlBob]

If you really fall in love with the shimmer effect, there are combination systems, too.

 

[lmsmith]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15399648#post15399648 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KarlBob
If you really fall in love with the shimmer effect, there are combination systems, too.

I'm tempted to do that; 1 MH just for the shimmer, then T5s for the light and colour.

 

[Lyotim88]

so are t5's straight-up better technology? I mean it's not like i'm buying a cheapo unit, it'll be ATI.

 

[James77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15399659#post15399659 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lyotim88
so are t5's straight-up better technology? I mean it's not like i'm buying a cheapo unit, it'll be ATI.

T5s definitely has some pros over halides- more efficient, more manageable heat. I've owned several different systems of each, including the ATI PM. I switched back to halides, mostly due to the appearance and shimmer of halides.

T5s have an artificial, flat look- it looks just like any flourescent aquarium light, just brighter. Halides are much crisper looking, and give the look of the sun hitting the water.

As for efficiency, running 2 HQI halides and VHO supps, Im using about $10 more a month is electric over the ATI I had. As far as heat, I ventilate my canopy fairly well- I certainly could add 2 more fans- but my temps never increase more than 2-2.5 degrees over normal. I have never used a chiller with halides.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15399659#post15399659 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lyotim88
so are t5's straight-up better technology?

Absolutely not. Different? Yes. Better? That depends strongly on your selection criteria.

Claiming that T5 are "better" than MH (or, more efficient, cooler, cheaper, etc.) would be like saying the Beatles made "better" music than the Rolling Stones.

Often, people in this hobby like to generalize in order to justify one technology over another. While this can be helpful to understand the lay of the land, it can also be extremely dangerous, since it sets expectations that may not hold true in reality.

More specifically, people like to say T5s are more efficient, cooler, and cheaper. People also like to say that MH are more intense. While these things may be true in some cases, you *really* have to compare one specific fixture against another on these terms. It is totally possible to build an MH fixture that is more efficient, cooler, and cheaper than many of the T5 fixtures currently on the market. It is also possible to make a T5 fixture that is more intense than many of the MH fixtures on the market. For example, a strong MH bulb on a good electronic ballast in an excellent reflector will be more efficient, brighter, and cooler than a similar wattage T5 fixture with a poor ballast and poor reflectors.

That said, IMHO, the best approach is to choose between the two based on the style you like. I mean that in two ways: The style of light in the tank, and the style of fixture.

MH creates unbeatable shimmer, contrast, and a dramatic sense in terms of light in the tank. T5's are more of a broad, consistent wash of light. Generally, it's possible to make T5 fixtures slimmer, while preserving good design (i.e. many tiny MH fixtures have poor reflectors.)

So, pick the type of lighting you want, THEN make sure you are getting a good quality unit. In either case, reflector design is important, as is selection of lamp and ballast - especially in terms of determining output and efficiency.

I hope this makes sense, and I really encourage you to make a personal selection of the style of lighting you want, then ask around about the best fixture. It's hard to convince people that one style is better than the other, especially over the internet. If you haven't yet, try to track down tanks at LFS's and other reefer's homes lit with the various fixtures you are considering, to get a first-hand impression.

 

[Lyotim88]

thank you der wille, exactly the response i was hoping for. At my favorite LFS, they run their displays mostly on Halides, and a few on T5's, i also am currently using T5, although it's a crappy fixture. I definitely like the look of MH over T5, but from what i've seen, i cant really get a quality unit that will be enough light for anything in a 90 for around $600. Any suggestions? I don't have a canopy so i guess i can't go with a retrokit. As far as T5, like i said, i would be going with an ATI sunpower 6x54w, which sells for $620 with bulbs. Any MH's as good or better than that unit for around the same price? Thanks for the help

 

[nikon187]

The sun power will allow you to grow anything in a 90 gallon tank. I have a 12" squamosa clam on the sand 27" down from a 6 bulb tek light growing strong.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

That's going to be a tough price point, especially since you don't want to do a retro, but it isn't impossible. For instance, you could go with two Giesmann Basic HQI pendants. They are around $290 each and have a single 150w MH bulb. They come with a 14k Giesmann Megachrome bulb, which has an awesome color, and Giesmann is probably one of the most-respected brands in the lighting market. Though, 150w is going to be a touch on the weak side for MH over a tank that big (probably comparable to your 6-lamp T5)

You could also go with two 250w Aquamedic Spacelight pendants. They are around $330 each. More powerful, given the 250w bulb. Or, two of the round Coralife Aqualight 250w pendants. Similar price, different look. A few other brands have 250w MH pendants in this price range, too.

Of course, none of those options gives you supplemental actinic lighting (T5 or PC is common) so you won't be able to do a gradual sunrise/sunset transition. I wouldn't worry about coloration, since in both cases, there are a ton of good bulb choices available. And, as an advantage, you are only replacing two bulbs, every year or so - you don't have to worry about replacing the supplemental lighting, too.

If you want supplemental, the price goes up. Or, the quality goes down. You could get two Current USA Sundial pendants (150w MH, two actinic PC 32w) at around $230 each, or one of those Odyssea fixtures from eBay or aquatraders, though both have been known to be problematic.

Really nice pendants with MH and supplemental lighting are a good $200 - $300 above your price range. If you are dead set on that budget, one of the above options - or just going with T5 - would be best. However, with something as major and long-lasting as a reef lighting system, IMHO it makes sense to be sure you are really getting what you want, not just what you can afford today (in other words, save for another month or two if it means you can get the fixture of your dreams!)

 

[velrui]

der-wille,,,,, What do you consider the fixture of your dreams ?

 

[solastsummer]

Claiming that T5 are "better" than MH (or, more efficient, cooler, cheaper, etc.) would be like saying the Beatles made "better" music than the Rolling Stones.


Wait... I thought that the beatles being better was common knowlege.... weird...


ITS A JOKE!!!!

 

[solastsummer]

for what its worth, i started with a 4x54w for my 60g... While i did like it for the bulbs versitility i wanted to have stronger lighting.. I came across a 250W mh ballast reflecter bulb.... everything for 40... so i was like what the heck i'll try it. I love the shimmer.... by love i mean LOVE. I grew up by the ocean and it reminds me of home, however i did miss the even lighting that came with the t5's(by even i mean the entire tank from side to side was even) I added a t5 2x54 retro and im pretty well satisfied... when i have a little more income and im not worried about electric bills (im a college stundent) i would love to add another 250 MH and keep my t5's. For me the combo of the shimmer and the actinics of the t5's are hard to pass up... but you can get actinics from any florecents but i just like t5's.

also i sent you a pm