T5 HO versus Metal Halide

Nem0 · 08/31/2007, 04:07 AM

I'm using 3x250w 14k metal halide for my LPS and softies tank and it runs for 8 hours a day.

However, I feel that the light gives my tank a very wash-out look. I start to feel that T5 lighting may give me more warm and brilliant looking color for the coral.

Anyone feel that I should try to switch to T5 or will I be getting the same result?

Capt_Cully · 08/31/2007, 05:51 AM

I know a guy who switched both tanks, a 90 and a 180, to T5's from halides. The different t5 bulbs gave his tanks a richer spectrum of colors. Looked great. He keeps LPS and SPS under them as well as clams and an anemone, though the latter 3 are in the upper half of the water.

Only thing is that he doesn't quite get that halide shimmer in his tank. But he's more than happy with the switch.

thor32766 · 08/31/2007, 07:47 AM

I only have 432watts of t5's above my 220 gallon tank and have kept all my clams a large carpet, zoas, leathers, shrooms all under that little of light. I am sold on t5's

Lytehouse · 08/31/2007, 08:00 AM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1022934

Not mine, I wish. This guy set up 600 gal tank with all MH. He began to switch to T5 and saw better light to the bottom of the tank and great growth. Last page or 2 has current pics.

Potsy · 08/31/2007, 08:19 AM

Since moving into a new home, we've downsized our aquarium - 75 gals. to 38 - and to avoid overheating/electric bill issues switched to a 5 x 39 watt Aquactinics t5 fixture. While I miss the shimmer and the intense look of the lighting, it certainly does the job. My corals' colors really pop under the fluorescent lighting now - my frogspawn went from drab olive to electric green and purple. Another plus is that under t5, a greater amount and more even distribution of light hits the sandbed than mh. So, mh wins hands down at the upper portions of the aquarium, and t5 takes the medal for most light at the bottom and overall aesthetic look.

Btw, I have a crocea clam and bubbletip anemone that seem to be doing fine. I do have the clam pretty high up though.

RichConley · 08/31/2007, 08:21 AM

Are you using 14K phoenixs?

Theyre washing your tank out because theyre pretty much all blue. You might get the results you want simply by switching bulbs....

or you could add some T5 actinics.

chujai · 08/31/2007, 08:31 AM

yeah i find a combo of both MH and T5 is the best, but thats cause i love the shimmering effect that you can get form MH

Nem0 · 09/02/2007, 10:44 PM

RichConley,

Yes, I was using the Phoenix 14k before, and now I'm using the BLV 20k, both of them look washout to me. Is there something wrong with my water condition, or the light is playing the tricks?

08/31/2007, 04:07 AM	#1
Nem0 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 354	T5 HO versus Metal Halide I'm using 3x250w 14k metal halide for my LPS and softies tank and it runs for 8 hours a day. However, I feel that the light gives my tank a very wash-out look. I start to feel that T5 lighting may give me more warm and brilliant looking color for the coral. Anyone feel that I should try to switch to T5 or will I be getting the same result?

08/31/2007, 05:51 AM	#2
Capt_Cully Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 13,574	I know a guy who switched both tanks, a 90 and a 180, to T5's from halides. The different t5 bulbs gave his tanks a richer spectrum of colors. Looked great. He keeps LPS and SPS under them as well as clams and an anemone, though the latter 3 are in the upper half of the water. Only thing is that he doesn't quite get that halide shimmer in his tank. But he's more than happy with the switch. __________________ People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2

08/31/2007, 07:47 AM	#3
thor32766 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chuluota, FL Posts: 6,072	I only have 432watts of t5's above my 220 gallon tank and have kept all my clams a large carpet, zoas, leathers, shrooms all under that little of light. I am sold on t5's __________________ "Live your life so no one has to lie about who you were at your funeral" click on my red house to see my tang compound! Current Tank Info: 29 gallon in Wall!

08/31/2007, 08:00 AM	#4
Lytehouse seeker of knowledge Join Date: May 2007 Location: NW OKC Posts: 3,276	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1022934 Not mine, I wish. This guy set up 600 gal tank with all MH. He began to switch to T5 and saw better light to the bottom of the tank and great growth. Last page or 2 has current pics. __________________ --Lynn The challenge is the fun.

08/31/2007, 08:21 AM	#6
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	Are you using 14K phoenixs? Theyre washing your tank out because theyre pretty much all blue. You might get the results you want simply by switching bulbs.... or you could add some T5 actinics. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

08/31/2007, 08:19 AM	#5
Potsy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kinnelon, NJ Posts: 1,827	Since moving into a new home, we've downsized our aquarium - 75 gals. to 38 - and to avoid overheating/electric bill issues switched to a 5 x 39 watt Aquactinics t5 fixture. While I miss the shimmer and the intense look of the lighting, it certainly does the job. My corals' colors really pop under the fluorescent lighting now - my frogspawn went from drab olive to electric green and purple. Another plus is that under t5, a greater amount and more even distribution of light hits the sandbed than mh. So, mh wins hands down at the upper portions of the aquarium, and t5 takes the medal for most light at the bottom and overall aesthetic look. Btw, I have a crocea clam and bubbletip anemone that seem to be doing fine. I do have the clam pretty high up though.

08/31/2007, 08:31 AM	#7
chujai Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ottawa Posts: 188	yeah i find a combo of both MH and T5 is the best, but thats cause i love the shimmering effect that you can get form MH

09/02/2007, 10:44 PM	#8
Nem0 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 354	RichConley, Yes, I was using the Phoenix 14k before, and now I'm using the BLV 20k, both of them look washout to me. Is there something wrong with my water condition, or the light is playing the tricks?