MH vs T-5 on a budget

[WillieM96]

I will soon be putting up a 50 gallon reef tank (36x18x18) and hope to introduce corals and anemones at some point. Lighting is rather expensive and unfortunately I am on a budget (blew most of the money on all the other elements). Right now, I have it narrowed down to a 150w MH http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113352 Seen here vs a T-5 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113175 seen here. Assuming you could only get one, which one would you choose? I'd love to do a combination but just can't afford it at this time. Also, if anyone has other alternatives, I'm open to any ideas. Thanks!

[Poseidon]

I like the idea of T5 more and more, but I would look around for a better price. I know a few of our sponsors have a better price on T5 fixtures then what you see there. I think MH may be the best bet, but a single halide will cover an area of about 24"x24" so you will have 6" on each side of your tank that will not have the same intensity as the center. That could be used to your advantage though, for lower light LPS, mushrooms, etc...

Also the 4 bulb fixture you linked to, will not quite have the same intensity as a MH, I think the thought is 6-8 T5's per 24"x24" area to equal MH PAR. (I may be off here, so if someone knows better please chime in.)

Lighting is like the skimmer, don't go cheap, or else you buy TWICE!

BTW:

[madman19710]

i have that mh fixture i had to replace the fan after one week but the manufacturer sent me a new one right out no questions asked my tank is 30 long it lights my tank very niceley it does kinda fade out towards the ends of the tank

[ReeferSD]

Madman, do you have a glass top on your tank? Just courious because the website for that MH fixture says to use one, do you think they are only worried about evaporation? is this the only light you have? Just wondering how your temps are and the evaporation. I had not seen this before. Thanks

[WillieM96]

Madman- Is that the only light on your tank or do you have others?

[jollopee]

Ok,that light is no good, t5's absolutely positively must have individual reflectors for each single bulb, anything less would be a big waste of your money and would not be sufficient light for any anemone. I found out about t5's the hard way and through alot of changes I made myself. I purchased a t5 8x54 with the parabolic reflector off ebay......mistake number one. I was under the impression that with that t5 alone I could put anything in my tank.....mistake number 2. I actually did put something in my tank that I should not have.....mistake number 3. Anyhow I redid all my lighting took the junk light apart and used the pieces after buying different bulbs and individual reflectors........Im here to tell you that there is a HUGE HUGE HUGE difference in the lighting between one large reflector and individual reflectors. If you go with t5 lighting for your tank I would do a 6x54 set up with individual reflectors,mabey 4 bulbs but nothing less than that. As far as the IC (icecap) ballasts go you can get by without them and be very happy without them as will the life in your tank. Just a set up with your average ballast.......the reflectors are a MUST and the choice of bulb will greatly enhance your light as well. As far as heat goes, I have one fan in my hood now, but I am going to add another. With the one fan I have a 1 degree swing while the lights are on which doesnt bother me now but this summer I am sure it will turn into a 2 degree or more change throughout the day. Hope that helps, Im a FIRM believer you can keep any coral under t5's that are set up properly and enjoy all the color the coral has to offer as well.

Todd

[The Grim Reefer]

If you are just starting out and have a tight budget Premium Aquatics sells a T5 fixture by a company called Finnex. I have seen posts where a couple people have added the Sunlight Supply Tek reflectors to those units (they just clip on the lamps). You would save money in the long run getting the Tek hood to begin with but if you are just starting out you could run the finnex for a while and add good lamps and the reflectors later on.

[DapperDan]

I'm looking into a T5 retro, is it true that Icecap has the best individual reflectors?

DD

[The Grim Reefer]

Ice Caps are the best reflector but their isn't much difference between them and the one Aqualux sells as the "computer designed" if the tank is under 20" tall, except the Aquablux unit is Wiiiide, just over 3". The Ice Cap is 2 1/2.

[jollopee]

sunlight supply or ice cap are both good and pretty much any of the german aluminum reflectors are going to give you the same amount of light. If you do some research all of the manufacturers claim a 300% increase in light and they also have their own proof. Ice caps are 2 1/2 in wide where as SLS is only 2 inches wide. I guess it would all come down to personal preference as to how much room you have for all of your lights. One thing about the SLS is the reflector is not reinforced like the icecaps which have a rigid reinforcment at each end. So a sturdy reflector with less bulbs or a less sturdy reflector and more bulbs,its all about what you want and what your needs are. I hope this helps you a little bit.

Todd

[brreef123]

I bought a 5 bulb t-5 fixture from aqutinics and love it great workmanship. indv reflectors 3 bulbs on one sw and two the outher plus a quiet fan.