|
|
Have a question?
It's Free!
|
|
| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
Registered Members don't see these ads. Register now it's free!
08-03-2008, 04:44 PM
|
#1
|
|
Why is Reefing so hard ?
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: New York
Posts: 292
|
T5 or Metal Halide ???
Hi, I am turning my Fowlr tank into a reef tank and i have been doing a ton of research on which type of lighting i should use. I am stuck between a T5 or Metal Halide setup? Right now i have a 110 Gallon tank that is 31" tall but i am going to be purchasing a 90 Gallon tank that is 24" tall. I need some input from people that already have reef tanks already. I am trying to decide between a 2 x 250 Watt Metal Halide setup or a 4 bulb T5 fixture? I already have heat issues with my tank now and i know if i get a metal halide it will just make evrything worse. I need to know if the T5 fixture will do as good a job as the Metal Halide. I could even get 2 T5 fixtures if it will make it better. Anyone with any information will help me and it would be greatly appreciated. Thank You
|
|
|
|
Registered Members don't see these ads. Register now it's free!
|
|
|
|
|
08-03-2008, 04:48 PM
|
#2
|
|
spaceman spiff
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 10,636
Reviews: 72
|
You'll probably want at least 6 bulbs if you go T5. I don't think 4 on a 90 would be adequate for keeping a number of corals, particularly stonies. Look at something like the Tek 6 bulb setup, that would be plenty. Or, a pair of 250W MH bulbs would do well too.
|
|
|
|
08-03-2008, 06:23 PM
|
#3
|
|
Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 320
|
if you want t-5 click on the url in my signiture. In my 90g build thread is tons of pics. I have a 90g with 6 t-5 HO with individule reflectors.
|
|
|
|
|
08-03-2008, 08:47 PM
|
#4
|
|
I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 34,161
|
Mh is better!
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
08-03-2008, 09:06 PM
|
#5
|
|
Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 320
|
wooooo lets not jump to sterotypical remarks
t-5 is better in some set ups and MH is better in others
|
|
|
|
|
08-03-2008, 09:15 PM
|
#6
|
|
Keeper of the Kracken
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Martin, SC
Posts: 11,407
|
The most important thing about growing sps corals with a T5 fixture is to make sure it has the individual reflectors for each bulb like crvz and Reef Master are talking about.
The amount of heat given off by one of these fixtures will be a whole lot less than what will be given off by dual 250 watt metal halides.  |
|
|
|
|
08-03-2008, 10:15 PM
|
#7
|
|
Carpe Noctem
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Western Colorado
Posts: 8,210
Reviews: 25
|
It really is about preference. Personally I like the punch of halides, the shimmer and contrasting shadows I get from the central light point. But if I was to build a new tank up to 4' in length I would go for t5s. In fact I have a bit of a fire burning to build another tank and t5s are definitely in the plans
__________________
Hop~
|
|
|
|
|
08-03-2008, 11:24 PM
|
#8
|
|
Shark
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Western Wisconsin: LaCrosse Area Reef Keepers (LARK)
Posts: 2,608
Reviews: 12
|
What is the par on a T5?? I just don't see them having enough intensity to penetrate a tank depth (and still grow SPS/ LPS), could be wrong. Any one know for sure?
__________________
"To punish and enslave"
|
|
|
|
|
08-04-2008, 12:33 AM
|
#9
|
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: spartanburg, south carolina
Posts: 4,961
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sndwave80
What is the par on a T5?? I just don't see them having enough intensity to penetrate a tank depth (and still grow SPS/ LPS), could be wrong. Any one know for sure?
|
It's been done plenty of times already. In some circumstances, T5's have more (that's right, more) PAR than halides. Either way, it will be great for a reef tank. The number of T5s used depends on several factors: depth and width of tank, overdriving bulbs or not, sand substrate or bare bottom, and sps/clams or no sps/clams.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
08-04-2008, 12:54 AM
|
#10
|
|
Just some guy, you know?
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 18,936
|
In a 90G tank I would personally prefer a pair of 250W MH and a pair of T5 atinics, but I would happily run the same tank setup SPS with 6 T5 bulbs on individual reflectors.
I really think it's all about personal prefrence because I beleve each setup will run perfectally fine.
Whiskey
__________________
Vagabond
Computers are the worlds most plentiful source of unique, and unimaginable problems.
|
|
|
|
|
08-04-2008, 02:35 AM
|
#11
|
|
Little Fishy
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 288
|
Key to the T5's is using them with quality individual reflectors. I've used 4 T5's on the 48"x18"24" 90g tank and it does a great job when overdriven. I know have 6 T5's overdriven on a 90g and I think its overkill!
Either way let us know what you do.
|
|
|
|
|
08-04-2008, 03:56 AM
|
#12
|
|
Why is Reefing so hard ?
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: New York
Posts: 292
|
I just purchased a fixture on ebay for a good price i think $142.50 with shipping. I don't know if it has individual reflectors or not? Here is the link --- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN:IT&ih=013 I talked to the person i purchased it from and he said if i am not happy with it i can send it back to him and pay the difference for the 2 x 250 Metal Halide setup. Can anyone take a look at it and tell me what you think? I really appreciate all of your help !!! Thank You so much |
|
|
|
|
08-04-2008, 07:02 AM
|
#13
|
|
spaceman spiff
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 10,636
Reviews: 72
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sndwave80
What is the par on a T5?? I just don't see them having enough intensity to penetrate a tank depth (and still grow SPS/ LPS), could be wrong. Any one know for sure?
|
the actual values are dependent on the setup... you'd have to take a lot of measurements. generically speaking, though, there's plenty of light even to grow SPS on the bottom of the tank, or at least on the bottom of my 24" deep tank.
|
|
|
|
|
08-04-2008, 07:31 AM
|
#14
|
|
Very Fishy
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Clearwater, Florida
Posts: 1,922
Reviews: 2
|
What do you want to keep in the reef? Soft corals , LPS, SPS?
Assuming you want SPS, if he has a 6 bulb T5 fixture I'd get that one, at minimum. I"m running 6 T5's w/ individual reflectors and Icecap balasts on my 75G and having what I consider to be very good results, from the 1" sand bed up I have enough light to place SPS where they like it and they are growing fast, temp runs 79-81. 4 Bulbs may work, the SPS may "live", but without the individual reflectors and not overdriving the 4 bulbs it may limit the SPS that will actualy thrive (montiporas, and other moderate light SPS in upper 1/3 of the 24" tank)) and grow for you. MH are good too but heat and uneven lighting as you move away from directly under the bulb led me to T5"s. Remember your goal is to have a reef, build to the goal of what corals you want to not onle have but have thrive. Good luck.
|
|
|
|
|
08-04-2008, 11:07 AM
|
#15
|
|
Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 320
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sndwave80
What is the par on a T5?? I just don't see them having enough intensity to penetrate a tank depth (and still grow SPS/ LPS), could be wrong. Any one know for sure?
|
This is another sterotype. I can tell you that I used a Milwaukee under water par meter to test HQI and my T-5 54wx6 HO fixture. The reading was very close. The difference was not enough to make me want to buy a HQI fixture and then NEED to buy a chiller for $$$$$$$$$. Plus after doing tons of research and looking at other tanks with HQI and T-5 I decided to go with T-5. I have a mixed tank SPS,clams, and LPS. If I had a total SPS tank with $$$$$$$$ invested then maybe.
|
|
|
|
|
