Can't decide....T5 vs MH

[deathmatch782]

I'm starting gathering equipment for my 40 br that is going up in 2 months.
The next peice on my list is lighting.
I can't decide wether to go with
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113175

or a dual 175W setup w/ set of 10K and 20k XM bulbs

The tank will primarily be SPS/LPS, and both choices are about the same price.


Any suggestions?

[markrxdi]

i say mh

[mcliffy2]

For a 40 gallon tank (i assume that is what 40 BR is), I like T5 better. The shimmer is cool, but the color is better with T5 IMO. I went to buy some frags from a local reefer who had a 75g w/ 6 T5s next to a 30g cube with a 250w 14k MH. The colors in his 75 were awesome, and the 30 w/ MH looked yellow and bland next to the 75. He said when you turned the T5s off, the MH looked pretty good (b/c your eyes adjusted), but looking at them side-by-side I would take the colors of the T5s over the shimmer. I wanted to go T5s on my tank, but as its 30" deep, I had to go MH.

[afbengochea]

the t5 fixture doesnt have individual reflectors which is what makes t5s efficient

[deathmatch782]

I noticed that, I want to try and keep some things under price control.

And I noticed that its a dual 150W HQI setup, not 175's.

[Brent Cone]

Originally Posted by deathmatch782

I'm starting gathering equipment for my 40 br that is going up in 2 months.
The next peice on my list is lighting.
I can't decide wether to go with
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113175

or a dual 175W setup w/ set of 10K and 20k XM bulbs

The tank will primarily be SPS/LPS, and both choices are about the same price.


Any suggestions?

Thats the units i have on my 75 i have 2 of them + 2 x 65watt Orbits they are great!
Brent. JMO

[Tynan Rasmus]

I just went through the exact same thing with my 75 and decided on T5s. My reasoning, hydro, coloration, size and cooling of the fixture. I went with 4X 48" HO T5 setup with individual reflectors.

[mcliffy2]

Didnt realize there were no individual reflectors, it is worth the cash to get em.

Here are links to that tank I was referring to (should answer your question about SPS under T5s):

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1086919

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1086261

[Wiskey]

The individual refelctors increase the light out put dramaticaly,.. more than double it in fact,.. T5's are not any better than PC's without those reflectors.

I picked up the 4*54W Tek Retro for my 50G and have been very happy with it,.. the light output is very good, and growth is good. The bulbs are lasting a long time (I've been tracking their output waiting for a 30% drop in light output).

Over all I am very happy with the T5's,.. Of course I am also very happy with my MH, but on a 40G I think t5 is probably the better choice.

Whiskey

[Jflip2002]

I wouldnt say that T5s arent any better than PCs without the reflectors. But that is what makes them great. If you dont have individual reflectors, you may as well stick to MH. i was also in the same situation, after owning the 24" T5 Nova extreme fixture. I liked it so much I decided to get a 250w MH fixture with the same T5s for actinic supplements.

If you dont get Tek or icecap retro, its better to go MH I think.

[jph]

you may want to have a look at the Sunlight Supply TEK fixture. 4 x 39W with individual reflectors.

if you skimp on initial costs you may end up regretting it later.
even the 6 x 39W fixture should still fit nicely over a 40g tank.

edit: that is IF you decide to go with T5's


J.

[reefermike1]

id go mh. the shimmering effect is worth it, and the light output is great.

[Tynan Rasmus]

Originally Posted by jph

you may want to have a look at the Sunlight Supply TEK fixture. 4 x 39W with individual reflectors.

J.

This is exactly what I got, but only the 48" verison 4X54w. Its awsome.

[wannareef]

definately mh

[JY13131]

I got T-5's two months ago and I wish I got MH!