T5 HO enough?

[TheBadGuy]

I am still researching my upcoming light purchase and currently I am looking to go with a 6 bulb T5 Ho retrofit with some moonlight LEDs. This will be for a 125 gallon 72" tank. Would that be sufficient or should I go with a MH/VHO combo retrofit?

While I am not currently into corals, I would like to add a few and would hate to invest $700 or more in lighting and still be told I don't have the proper lighting to get a coral that catches my eye.

Any suggestions for a good lighting set up. Here is what I am looking at now:

Either

http://www.aquariumlight.com/product_info.php?dbid=349

OR


http://reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104073.html

Any other suggestions? I will be mounting this under a homemade canopy. Should I go with a 72" set up and work in cramming it under the canopy and drilling to allow ventilation for side mounted fans or should I go with a 60" set up?

 

[moonpod]

T5 is "enough". The question is not "is it enough". The question is do you like glitter lines or not. if you want glitterlines, you need MH. If you don't care, then T5 is a good solution for you.

 

[TheBadGuy]

It the only difference between the two would be "glitter lines" then I guess I would have to go to "Which would be more cost efficient?"

 

[moonpod]

Tough question. Theoretically T5. IMO it's probably close enough to be a coin toss. Again, it comes down to glitterlines and aesthetics IMO. T5 tanks "look" different than MH tanks.

 

[my2girls]

If heat is a factor you might want to go with T5.

 

[55kfog]

How deep (top to bottom) is the tank? and how tall is the canopy you're putting this in (if it's already built)? Moonpod is probably right that T5s are enough.

I went with an all T5 set up because of the heat issue with MHs and the fact that I liked the 'crisp' look of the tank. I've been really pleased overall.

As far as efficiency, I think T5s are considered more/just as efficient 'per watt' as MHs when they are optimized (good reflectors, bulbs...), but I know there were some that disputed that...several variables too.

If you're investing in lights, you may as well go for what you can fit reasonably easily.

 

[TheBadGuy]

Top to bottom the tank is 22" tall, The canopy is already built and approx. 14"

 

[moonpod]

Hm...well, that's pretty tall for a T5 setup....but you could put some struts in lower down and mount the T5s lower down and use that big open space to house the ballasts and fans....

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7493694#post7493694 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by moonpod
Hm...well, that's pretty tall for a T5 setup....but you could put some struts in lower down and mount the T5s lower down and use that big open space to house the ballasts and fans....

Not really, because of the whole point source vs line source, T5s actually penetrate better than MHs.

 

[moonpod]

Rich, you don't want to suspend T5s 14" off the top of the tank. I use T5s on my office tank, and I used T5s when they first came out on a 180. I was a beta tester of amped up IC660s to run 4x80w bulbs. In my opinion and experience I wouldn't hang 'em more than 6" off the top.

With a line source you want to bring the lights down low to the tank to minimize PAR loss due to distance, but balance keeping the lights from getting splashed and access issues. With a point source you balance distance with the needs for adequate spread.

 

[keeperofthefish]

T5s can penetrate better. But only if they are overdriven. Otherwise, metal halide puts off more PAR (depends on bulb, ballast, reflector, etc.). Only overdriven rigs out there are icecap driven. I don't think TEK lights are overdriven, but people have had great success with them all around. Individual reflectors, low heat--great product. I have aquatinics and have been honestly a bit disappointed. Thus far, my blue and purple acros aren't coloring up like I had expected. Only a few months in though.

 

[55kfog]

Regardless of which penetrates better, if you go with T5s, you have the choice of lowering them, as Moonpod recommended, because there isn't the issue with heat. I think that would just result in more/stronger light in the tank. I would have recommended the same thing with a 14in canopy...but the design would depend on how you access the canopy (flip top, front doors...)

I think I remember people saying if you mount T5s in a 6-8 in. canopy, that there was adequate light 22 in. deep or so.

either way, a couple nice options to choose from do you have any heat issues with your tank now?

 

[TheBadGuy]

I have no heat issues with my tank now. I keep my house cool and if anything, even in summer, my heaters will have to kick on every so often.

The canopy has front door access, but I can rig it up so they are lower if that is the prefered result. Heck, maybe I should look at an actual "hood" style T5 system?? At least that way the fans and everything would be ready to go.

 

[55kfog]

keeperofthefish brings up a good point about overdriven bulbs. Ice Cap ballast is the way to go for overdriven bulbs (available at Reef Geek as well).

I use the regular SLS kit and ballasts (not overdriven)...fwiw, the figures I mentioned earlier (22 inch penetration) was for non-overdriven bulbs.

Before deciding on a hood vs. retro kit, I would go through some other threads...there are several pros and cons...I chose the retro for various reasons....mostly the flexibility of a retro kit vs. hood set up. some people really like the 'open' look of a hood set up...

 

[Horace]

First I would just like to say that this guy doesnt even have corals yet guys, nor has the said he wants to run pure SPS. If he runs 6 overdriven T5s hes going to be more limited in what corals he could keep than he would be if he just got some VHOs or low watt MH. Overdriven T5s are pretty much fit for PURE SPS and thats about it. They are too bright for most softies and alot of LPS wont care for them either. This guy needs to decide what types of corals he is going to want before any of you can even come close to advising him on what he should get...

 

[TheBadGuy]

I just went to take a quick look and here are a few of the things I would like to add to my tank:

Brain - Orange Lobo
Chili Coral
Hammer Coral
Leather - Finger

Thats just looking online at a few that appeal to me. The whole reason I even decided to upgrade to begin with is I have a couple clowns and want a Rose bubble tip anemone and was told my lighting wouldn't do.

I figured if I am going to upgrade, I would like to get something that would accommodate corals as well. I have read allot and been flip flopping on what to get ALLOT but usually when I drop this much money on something I know more about the exact product than I will on this purchase.

Right now I am looking at a 8 x 80 Watt T5 Ho hood with moonlight LEDs and fans built in. It would have legs on it that would prop it 5 inches above the tank. Unless someone can give me a reason why this would not be a good choice, I think I am going to go with it.

I obviously know to keep corals I will have to educate myself more in the subject than I am now including lighting needs, etc. But my problem is I have the money for this purchase now and money burns a hole in my pocket so I am trying to decide and purchase this light set up now before one of my other hobby want list items gets the loot

 

[moonpod]

Uh, 8x80w is PLENTY. What fixture is this? Aquatinics?

FWIW, the ATI powermodule fixtures will probably be in the States soon and are substantially thinner front to back than Teks.