should i switch? mh -> t5

[brandon0350]

90 cube 30x30x24, ssb, about 100lbs live rock, 3 fish, mostly sps with few lps, zoos, etc on the sand bed. recently my tank has been getting in the mid 80s with a chiller and a fan blowing in the canopy and i was wondering if it would be a good idea to switch to t5. right now my system has a single 400w halide and 150w vho actinic 8" off the water. i was thinking t5 because of all the good reviews ive heard about them like: low heat, good penetration, good color combinations etc. i was thinking a 6 bulb 24" retro for in my canopy with individual reflectors.

so i guess here is my main questions:

what bulbs should i get? id like to get good growth with a look of a 14k halide.

what ballst should i get to run the 6 bulbs? icecap?
workhorse?

i think the tek reflectors are the best? any other recomendations?


thanks for the help brandon

 

[NewSchool04]

I would switch to a 250w halide. I see no reason for a 400 with the tank you have. You should be able to control temp with a fan and not have to change out your halides.

 

[brandon0350]

another reason i was thinking t5 is even lighting all the way across the tank instead of 1 halide covering a 30x30 square

 

[brandon0350]

and alot less electricity

 

[NewSchool04]

I have both. I have a 75 with T5 and a 30 gallon cube with MH. I love the shimmer of the MH and I have had a ton of success with the T5's on the 75.
I would try to stick with the MH and get a better reflector and tone it down to 250watts. Lumenarc reflectors come to mind and with a 250w bulb would cover the tank perfectly. You cut down tons of heat by not using the 400 and probably get much better coverage.
Sunlight Supply is coming out with a pendant for DE and SE bulbs I think designed with this reflector or something very similiar.