T5 vs. MH---for NANO

[Alivin44]

OK so question for all of my expert reefers. I have a 12gal Aquapod standard stock lighting, plain old PC's. I'm intererested in upgrading. So the question is do I upgrade to either T5's or MH 70 watt HQI the Sunpod.
Here's the link to the T5 lid, but I'm not sure if it will fit on my Aquapod.

http://www.oceanproaquatics.com/shop...nt-p-4061.html

Appreciate the feedback
Thanks

 

[Alivin44]

What about the viper???

 

[Alivin44]

www.oceanproaquatics.com/shop/cube-...ent-p-4061.html

I realized the link didnt work

 

[InLimbo87]

Your link is broken. Keep in mind a 16.5" fixture will fit perfectly over your tank, and most T5's don't come in fixtures smaller than 24".

The Viper's are designed very poorly IMO. I'd look into getting the Sunpod. They're great fixtures and will fit perfectly over your tank.

 

[Alivin44]

Fixed the link its in my next post. Thanks for the info

 

[melanotaenia]

what kind of coral specimens you plan to keep? If you plan to keep any SPS corals, I would recommend MH over the T-5 hands down

 

[Giovanni]

What size and watts are those bulbs? I would like something like that for my BC14.

 

[Alivin44]

I'm not into SPS , just softies, rics, mushrooms, zoos, torch corals and such

 

[ficklefins]

IME go with a MH fixture. You will get better color definition but you will you have to worry about heat issues.

 

[Alivin44]

I figure since it is the sunpod MH it will atleast have an open top. And then I'll get an additional clip on fan plus if need be we have AC.

 

[melanotaenia]

if you have an open top you should not have a problem with heat issues, provided your ambient air temps are around 72 or below; if you have higher room temps, fan might be needed.

 

[Alivin44]

Any more opinions?

 

[Mark426]

I say T-5. There is a shift from MH to T-5's going on by even the most ardent MH supporters. Just read any forum and you will find it hard to locate anyone that has switched say they want to go back to MH. Folks have just grown so tired of dealing with the heat issues, costs and other problems that are inherent with MH. Until the fairly recent introduction T-5HO, MH was the best option; those days are over for most tanks. This is especially true with a nano where heat builds up rapidly. Also with heat comes increased evaporation which is another big problem in nanos. I would guess that in a few years, MH will be like T-12 tubes…relegated to the back shelves and used only by the die hard or those with extremely deep tanks.

The downside is that a 24” T-5 may not fit nicely on your tank. Looks play a big role so that’s up to you. Either will work.

All that said, I run a MH on my nano and it certainly has done the job. But... I have ordered a new tank and a T-5 set up for the seasons above.

 

[weimers75]

I'd go t-5 hands down. You have a much broader choice in bulbs giving you more color/spectrum combinations so you can get the look you want. I had t-5's and grew all types of sps on my regular reef tank and had amazing colors.

With halides, you're going to have huge heat issues as well, and they're much more expensive to run.

Finally, why upgrade? With what you want to keep, stock lighting will be just fine.

 

[block head]

t5 or pc's / mh is pain +$

 

[Alivin44]

I'm def not getting the color definition I want from my stock lighting. I'm finding it really hard to find a T5 fixture that is going to accommodate my 12gal though.

 

[InLimbo87]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12248852#post12248852 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Alivin44
I'm def not getting the color definition I want from my stock lighting. I'm finding it really hard to find a T5 fixture that is going to accommodate my 12gal though.

I don't think you will find one, as they smallest they make the T5 bulbs is 24". This is why I won't understand people recommending T5's in your scenario, unless they happen to know of a fixture that would actually fit....

 

[Mark426]

Thats right.... 24" is as small as you can get right now. So...unless you can stand it hanging over each edge 6" (I couldnt) your stuck with PC or MH.

If you want to keep a hood on it...check out. http://www.nanocustoms.com

 

[reefman23]

This whole discussion is crazy. The T5s in that link are crap.... no better than the PCs you currently have. You cant run HIGH OUTPUT T5s over the 12g in a practical manner. Even if you do choose to run 24" 24 watt T5HOs over the 12g AP and let them hang over, you are wasting about 30% or more of the light due to the length of the bulbs.

The Sunpod is practically made for the 12g AP. I have a 12g AP with the 70 watt Sunpod and LOVE it. Buy the Sunpod and dont even look back. Plus the built-in moonlights are sweet!

By the way, unless the room temp in your house gets above 75 degrees or so, and/or you are running a pump like an MJ1200, and/or you are running you tank with the glass lid, you should have no temp problems with the 70 watt Sunpod ran with an open top. Even if you do, a simple clamp-on fan directed at the surface of the water should cool your tank down enough.

There is my opinion. :end rant:

Jesse

 

[reefman23]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12243232#post12243232 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mark426
Just read any forum and you will find it hard to locate anyone that has switched say they want to go back to MH.

I am one of the people who went T5HO from MH, became a staunch supporter for the first month or two, and then as the color and growth diminished, went back to MH and will never go to a tank that is only T5s... MH AND T5, for sure, just never a t5-only setup.

Jesse