T5's and Metal Halides.
- Thread starter CoMMaNdeR
- Start date
To better answer your question, can you give an idea as to what you want to do with the tank (i.e. what you're planning to keep) as well as size and depth? Or is this just a general question?
the inital cost of a t5 setup is usually greater than mh but pays off over time. look on the selling forum....notice alot of mh setups are always for sale, but rarely a used t5 setup for sale
t5 +: higher par than both vho and mh per watt = greater intensity
last longer and use less electricity = cheaper to run and replace
less heat produced = less water evaporated which extends the life to your RO/DI unit and less $$ to cool your home
t5 -: currently the actinic bulbs made aren't on par with vhos (although uri i think is coming out with a new line soon)
better for tanks 24" deep or less
mh+: "shimmer lines"...enough said
great for tanks greater than 24"
mh-: must replace every 6-12 months (depending on bulb and usage)=more $$
require actinic supplementation for daylight/dusk effect (you can use 20k bulbs but only get "on" or "off")
require more wattage=more electricity=more $$
produce more heat = higher water temps = fans/chillers almost required (more so in southern states) = more $$ in one form or another (added electricity, cost of chiller, more evaporation etc.)
the inital cost of a t5 setup is usually greater than mh but pays off over time. look on the selling forum....notice alot of mh setups are always for sale, but rarely a used t5 setup for sale
t5 +: higher par than both vho and mh per watt = greater intensity
last longer and use less electricity = cheaper to run and replace
less heat produced = less water evaporated which extends the life to your RO/DI unit and less $$ to cool your home
t5 -: currently the actinic bulbs made aren't on par with vhos (although uri i think is coming out with a new line soon)
better for tanks 24" deep or less
mh+: "shimmer lines"...enough said
great for tanks greater than 24"
mh-: must replace every 6-12 months (depending on bulb and usage)=more $$
require actinic supplementation for daylight/dusk effect (you can use 20k bulbs but only get "on" or "off")
require more wattage=more electricity=more $$
produce more heat = higher water temps = fans/chillers almost required (more so in southern states) = more $$ in one form or another (added electricity, cost of chiller, more evaporation etc.)
MattToTheMax
New member
That is a very nice summary cuervo. If you want more info here is a great thread on lighting options: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=550860&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
elephen
In Memoriam
Now quite a bit of that is here-say... If you talk to someone who actively uses T5's they will say the bulbs are only good for 8-9 months then you have to replacement. Imagine spending $15-20 a bulb and have say a 6 or 8 bulb fixture? The manufacturers of T5 lighting are primarly responsible for all the 'mis-informed' information out there, trying to talk up their product.
Just do the research on hard fact, do not rely on people's opinions
elephen
In Memoriam
http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68085
Read through that, references lots of good info in forums here on RC.
Read through that, references lots of good info in forums here on RC.
SEAFLOWERS
Premium Member
t5 & mh
t5 & mh
t5 & mh
I am in agreement with elephen. IMO MH is tried and true and going to give you the most bang for the buck period! yes do you own research, and depending on what you want to keep in the tank will determine what kind of light you will want, also the depth of the tank matters as well.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7058561#post7058561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elephen
Now quite a bit of that is here-say... If you talk to someone who actively uses T5's they will say the bulbs are only good for 8-9 months then you have to replacement. Imagine spending $15-20 a bulb and have say a 6 or 8 bulb fixture? The manufacturers of T5 lighting are primarly responsible for all the 'mis-informed' information out there, trying to talk up their product.
Just do the research on hard fact, do not rely on people's opinions
mdshamilton
Reefer
MH - definitely
MH - definitely
I ran a marine tank for 10 years with T5s etc...I just bought a new tank with a 250w 10k MH light and 2 actinic T5s - unbelievable amount of light down to the bottom of the tank! I can now keep any coral you can think of. Go MH - definitely.
MH - definitely
I ran a marine tank for 10 years with T5s etc...I just bought a new tank with a 250w 10k MH light and 2 actinic T5s - unbelievable amount of light down to the bottom of the tank! I can now keep any coral you can think of. Go MH - definitely.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7058561#post7058561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elephen
Now quite a bit of that is here-say... If you talk to someone who actively uses T5's they will say the bulbs are only good for 8-9 months then you have to replacement. Imagine spending $15-20 a bulb and have say a 6 or 8 bulb fixture? The manufacturers of T5 lighting are primarly responsible for all the 'mis-informed' information out there, trying to talk up their product.
Just do the research on hard fact, do not rely on people's opinions
Show me unbiased research not based on people's opinions and experiences. As a scientist, i rely on published articles from peer's, not manufacturers statements. But in this hobby, other people's (read peers) opinion's are the closest thing to "hard fact" one will find (with the exception of Sanjay's MH ballast and bulb compariosons...the pic's do the talking. I'm not saying there's no true resarch being done in this field...but "hard fact" as you put it, is few and far between.
As for the lighting debate (which will rage on), all the info i gave is from others' experiences and yes, opinions as well. Nothing there is 'here say' from manufacturers. $120 to replace 2 MH bulbs and actinic supp every 8-12months might be a bit more than say the $100 or so to replace t5, even if they only last 8-10 months. With what i pay per Kw hour, i'd gladly take less energy to power my lights along with the other benefits (no chiller, less top offs etc.).
Commander, you asked for a recommendation, so here's my .02 ....go look at a MH lit tank and compare to a t5 tank. In the end it's you're personal preference that matters.
I've run both mh tanks and t5 tanks in the past, each for diff. reasons. If you've ever had the thought to keep some sps, then get MH now, and save yourself of switching down the road. Just be prepared to initiate some cooling plan (fans, chiller, higher ac bill, etc.). Otherwise, if you never intend to get into sps (you could have a nice mixed reef with t5 only, just mimic nature and have the sps and lps up top and softies lower in the water column), i'd go with the t5s depending on where you live ( temps in the summers and your energy costs). Disclaimer: This is my educated opinion...nothing more. I'm not a seller or lighting rep, just an addicted reefer (so addicted, i actually changed my major to marine bio)
mr pink floyd
New member
my 29 is 24 inches deep, im goign to get 156 watts T5, going to grow a crocea and sps, wil lthis work?
starmanres
Premium Member
I run three types, T-5's, MH and VHO. I use my T-5's as dawn/dusk lights and then back on with everthing else for the intense "middle of day" lighting.
The T-5's can't hold a candle to the effect that the MH's offer - hands down. I agree with Cuervo that it forces me to use a chiller... But in Oklahoma, I think I would have needed to anyway most of the year.
I still have to replace my T-5 bulbs annually just like my VHO's... But they are much harder to get replacements for. Most LFS do not stock them and I have had 4 arrive broken during shipments - Zero MH bulbs.
I am all about looks when it comes to my tank and my MH's sure give it an overall great look when they are on.
HTH
Robert
The T-5's can't hold a candle to the effect that the MH's offer - hands down. I agree with Cuervo that it forces me to use a chiller... But in Oklahoma, I think I would have needed to anyway most of the year.
I still have to replace my T-5 bulbs annually just like my VHO's... But they are much harder to get replacements for. Most LFS do not stock them and I have had 4 arrive broken during shipments - Zero MH bulbs.
I am all about looks when it comes to my tank and my MH's sure give it an overall great look when they are on.
HTH
Robert
RichConley
New member
A lot of that is there are probably 10 times as many MH setups out there as T5. As to T5s costing less over time, thats crap. Most poeple run longer photoperiods with T5 (12 hours as opposed to the 6-7 us MH guys use) and replace bulbs every 6 months (vs ever 12 for us MH guys.). Also, 8 bulbs at 20-30 is more expensive than 2 at 50.
As far as par per watt, VHO shouldnt even be in this conversation. Theyre an innecificent joke.
I've seen studies that showed T5 more efficient, and I've seen ones that said MH were more effective. I've never seen one saying T5HO was more efficient.
mh+: "shimmer lines"...enough said
great for tanks greater than 24"
MH bulbs are cheaper than T5. Like I said, 2X60 is less than 8x30.
Daylight/dusk effect is for your benefit only.
Wrong, wrong,wrong.
120g tank.
500w MH running 6 hours, or 432w T5 running 10 hours. Its not even close.
Heat is the same. Heat is determined by watts, nothing else, theyre the same. MH just has more concentrated heat.
RichConley
New member
I ran a 20L with a 250w DE halide for a year and a half, and never had heat issues.
90% of heat issues are due to pumps, not lights.
RichConley
New member
Sorry, got a little worked up there.
I just get mad when I see people spouting the same stuff the T5 advertisers are spouting, when most of it is misinformed.
I just get mad when I see people spouting the same stuff the T5 advertisers are spouting, when most of it is misinformed.
I would recommend metal halide for that size tank. Is that a 4' or 6' long tank? Either way I would recommend metal halide. 2 for a 4' tank and 3 for a 6' tank. T5 are great for supplementation, but I would rather use VHO for supplementation. Just like the look better. If you are doing it from the beginning go with the double-ended HQI metal halide bulbs. They last a little longer then the screw-in type.
dannieboiz
Active member
yup HQI last longer and have more PAR they are simply brighter. There's a little more involved with the HQi since you need a UV shield (which is just a piece of glass). The bulbs cost about $10-$15 more to replace compared to SE bulbs. Everything about it is a little more but worth it.
The only reason why i'd go for T5 is the longer lifes span. If you think about it T5 requires a SLS reflector to maximize its' par, with the reflector in place for each bulb, the T5 setup turns out wider than VHO. If I were to do it again, I'm probably gonna jump for VHO as suppliment as well.
The only reason why i'd go for T5 is the longer lifes span. If you think about it T5 requires a SLS reflector to maximize its' par, with the reflector in place for each bulb, the T5 setup turns out wider than VHO. If I were to do it again, I'm probably gonna jump for VHO as suppliment as well.
coraladdict
New member
Hi guys,
I'll be starting a 65g 48" long tank in the very near future and I'll be keeping SPS and clams . From what I can read the DE MH are a better choice because they last longer and better PAR but how about the Iwasakis 6500K.I remember these bulbs could last anywhere from 12 to 24 months or was this some form of hype?
What would you guys recommend as MH ,I'll be supplementing with VHO actinics.
Thanks
I'll be starting a 65g 48" long tank in the very near future and I'll be keeping SPS and clams . From what I can read the DE MH are a better choice because they last longer and better PAR but how about the Iwasakis 6500K.I remember these bulbs could last anywhere from 12 to 24 months or was this some form of hype?
What would you guys recommend as MH ,I'll be supplementing with VHO actinics.
Thanks
RichConley
New member
DEs really dont have more par. The bulb produces more par, but you lose it in the thicker UV shield. Also, your tank is shallow, (I assume..what dpeth).
We really need the dimension to make a guess here.
We really need the dimension to make a guess here.
Similar threads
