T5 HO vs. 150w MH

[kcbonsai_matt]

I'm currently running a 15 gallon and am preparing to add corals. I'm thinking of upgrading the lighting I have which is 2 x 15w standard fluorescent tubes. The tank is 13 inches deep.

I stumbled on a Nova Extreme 2 x 24w T5 HO fixture.

http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=31351&cat=0&page=1

I had been thinking of a DIY 70w or 150w DE metal halide, but wanted to see what others thought of this option instead? Especially at $54.90 + 16.75 shipping = $71.64.

 

[musicawal]

Ah yes the good ol MH vs. T5 debate. Personally I would go with the 150w mh, If you really want to go with the T5's though I wouldn't get that fixture, it has a single reflector for the bulbs. The T5's with individual reflectors are much better. This is just my .02.

 

[Jadams]

I would go with the 150w MH system. It will be a bit more $$ to spend, but IMO you'll definetly be happier with the results/look of your tank.

 

[tprize]

The MH can cause heat issues, so don't forget that. Just so you know the MH will not have the shimmer effect on a tank that small. There was an article posted somewhere here explaining that the light doesn't have enough room to spread, so you don't get that much of a shimmer. I think for a tank that small T-5 is nice because you won't have to risk running out to buy a chiller.

 

[kcbonsai_matt]

Good points all. I think my decision in the end will depend on how I plan to add actinic lighting.

Since I'm currently running an Eclipse hood, I imagine that when I take off the hood and add a light, the heat of the MH won't be any worse than what I'm getting right now since it is enclosed.

 

[taketz]

I've seen the shimmer effect on a 5 gallon before.

 

[BigPerm1]

i get it on my 24 gal w/ a MH. Looks cool

 

[uhuru]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9860634#post9860634 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tprize
The MH can cause heat issues, so don't forget that. Just so you know the MH will not have the shimmer effect on a tank that small. There was an article posted somewhere here explaining that the light doesn't have enough room to spread, so you don't get that much of a shimmer. I think for a tank that small T-5 is nice because you won't have to risk running out to buy a chiller.

That article is wrong. I get shimmer big time w/a 70w over a 5 gal.

 

[oldreefer76]

I get tons of shimmer on a 15g with 175w mh and have 0 heat issues and don't let anyone fool you any high output light puts out heat

 

[pledosophy]

IME with my 150w HQI on my 20g long I loose about 1/2 gallon a day to evaporation, even though I have an exhaust fan. If you hook up an auto top off then it's not to bad to deal with. I get mad shimmer in my 20g, not so much on the sides though cuz I only have one MH bulb and a 30" long tank. I think for a 15g a MH would be a good choice, but T5's are also nice and will more evenly distribute your light.

I have T5's on my 65g, I like them too, but the shimmer is hard to beat. Way less heat issues with the T5 then the MH.

Another thing IME is with a MH bulb you can use a bulb temperature that does not need supplemental atnic lighting, such as a 14K. JME

HTH

 

[ghostman]

Previously I had MH only but just converted to T5.The shimmer effect was insignificant for me, and I missed the actinic look that my MH could not produce. Even a 20K bulb does not make my coral colors pop like a T5 with actinic. Individual reflectors is a must, and heat is a huge factor for me. JMO.

 

[Slakker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9863915#post9863915 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by oldreefer76
...don't let anyone fool you any high output light puts out heat

Yeah, but T5's are far more efficient than MH, thus putting out less heat and the same PAR values at lower wattages.

 

[Curve50880]

I love my T5s...no problems with them at all. They look great on my 20 gallon

 

[puckbs]

Curve, do you have any pictures of your 20g? Is it 20l or 20h? I just set one up and am going to be going with 4x24w t5s.

I've debated this back and forth since i thought about settin up this tank. I had a 96w pc layin around so i had that to tide me over until i decided. For me, I chose t5 because of heat, efficiency, lower profile for the canopy, and the bulbs keep their color a little longer. I'm ordering them next week!! also my plans are to keep softies, few lps, maybe a monti or two up high.