Switching from t-5s to MH 3x250

[T-Boner]

Well I've always had t-5s since I've started this hobby 5 years ago with my old 75 bow.

I moved up to a 180 and I went with t-5s 6x60 80watts each I now want to try out some MH I was thinking 3 250watts and keeping 4 of my t-5s. What would happen to my corals with the light change? What k should I go with 14-20? Single or double ended? Is there a difference?

 

[mutateddogbone]

i went from 8 bulb T5 to 2 250w 14k pheonix in lumenmax elite pendants with superactinic VHO supplements. after seeing the vast improvement in color and growth, i will never look back to T5.

If i were going to make the switch, i would buy an electronic ballast that is dimmable so you can turn it all the way down and slowly ramp up to acclimate them. if you are going to go halides though, reflector choice is one of the most important things to consider. i would go with something like lumenmax elite, lumenbright, or lumenarcs. for bulb, i would go with 14k or higher from a reputable brand.

 

[T-Boner]

Wow great info!! That's just what I'm looking for! I'll check out the dimmable ballast that sounds really cool. Ya after looking at all the reflectors I think I'm going with the lumenmax for sure. If I go with 14 k that will give faster growth as to the 20 is bluer and not so fast on growth? Is radium a good way to go? Also what is the difference in single or double ended bulbs?

 

[MrKite24]

If you're going to keep 4 of the T5's for actinic lights, then I would go with a 10k bulb. I've always had really good luck with Ushio single ended bulbs. This way, you'll get good growth and have a blue look with the addition of the atinics.

 

[mutateddogbone]

i find that the only difference between single and double end bulbs is spread. the spread on a single end is larger, because of the larger bulb, but this also means that you need a larger reflector. i personally use double ends for i have a 75g and supplement with VHO, and i wouldnt have room for single ends in my canopy. as mrkite24 has said, you may see an increase in growth by going 10k and using strictly T5 for supplement, but i promise you will be happier with the overall look of the tank and coral colors if you go with a 12 or 14k bulb. my recommendation would be to go with 14k pheonix with a mix of 420 and 450nm actinic bulbs for T5. a friend of mine uses a solid red bulb in his T5 setup and gets some insane colors from his red corals and zoas. if using 4 T5s, i would go with a 454, 2 super actinics, and red bulb for the best spectrum of higher kelvin to get good color from your corals. 14k pheonix will give off a slightly blueish look and it will overpower your T5 bulbs, which will only help to give your corals the extra "pop" of color

 

[noobtothereef]

ig going actinic t5's i would go ith a 14k bulb, i started with 10k bulbs with actinics and was way too white

 

[ros_sco]

I have Radiums (20K) and the color is perfect and growth is fast enough for me. It was cool when the corals were smaller, but now that everything is mature I wish the growth would be slower because now it is almost annoying having to keep trimming coral just so I don't break it when I clean the glass. If my power bill wasnt so high, especially in the summer trying to keep the tank and therefore the house cool I would stay with them forever. At this point though, I am planning on LEDs for my new tank.

 

[Pen3]

i went from MH/T5 to LED only and now using MH/LED 8:2 Royal Blue/White and couldn't be happier

 

[T-Boner]

Thankx for all the great info here is a pic as of today with 6 t-5s 80watts 180 gal

 

[Spartanman22]

Double ended bulbs do not have a UV shield whereas single ended bulbs do. So if you are using double ended bulbs make sure your reflectors have a glass shield on them.

 

[T-Boner]

That's good info looks like single ended it is then a friend of mine sent me a link to a site where they claim they make a daul bulb that fires at 10 k and has a second element that fires up to 20 k all in one bulb has anyone every seen one of these or heard of them I will post the link later when I finish it

 

[C-21 USAF]

T-Boner, sent you a PM

 

[T-Boner]

Here is a pic of my old 75 bow with 4 t-5s 54 watts on it

 

[T-Boner]

Has anyone tried the Reefbrite twin arc bulbs? They sound really cool!!!

 

[usfpaul82]

Go Radiums. You won't regret it.

 

[sirbiggstixx]

halides are the sh!t......you will not regret this choice

 

[Darkstar22]

+1 on halides! I have dual end 250w, the only disadvantage is Radium doesn't make 20k dual end bulbs so if you want radiums go SE. Once you go Halide you won't go back! I have tried T5's and they didn't do it for me. I know others swear by them

 

[Frick]

I have Radiums (20K) and the color is perfect and growth is fast enough for me. It was cool when the corals were smaller, but now that everything is mature I wish the growth would be slower because now it is almost annoying having to keep trimming coral just so I don't break it when I clean the glass. If my power bill wasnt so high, especially in the summer trying to keep the tank and therefore the house cool I would stay with them forever. At this point though, I am planning on LEDs for my new tank.

+1 on the Radiums. They are a great all around lamp. Although I am still not convinced that an LED can provide a spectrum as full as any halide. One day.

 

[rogerwilco357]

Radiums for color and 10k Ushio for growth awesome bulbs.

 

[austin93]

I have to agree. I ran t5 for a couple years and swore by them. Now I am halides all the way and will never regret it. By the time you factor in bulb replacement and shipping, there really isn't much of a price difference. I also think radiums are the best bulb out there for color and growth combined.