So what is the advantage to t5 over MH? huh?

cyberdude47 · 02/17/2008, 10:41 PM

So heres the thing i have 4 400 watt metal halides and i was gonna switch over to a 20 lamp 54 watt T5 setup on my 500 gallon and after doing all the math and taking some amperage reading there is actually less of an advantage besides a lil bit of less heat (and those overdriven T5's still put out there fair share). my 4-400's powered by icecaps only draw 13 amps and 20 T5's by 660's is 22 amps even powering them with workhorse ballasts draw 11.5 amps which is hardly worth the switch for less light output. so you guys tell me what your thoughts are on this

carb850 · 02/17/2008, 11:22 PM

I think T5HO's have have some advantages to MH lights in some situations, but in a very large tank were your talking so many bulbs I would say the MH is better. If for nothing else, then for bulb replacement cost alone.

evoracer · 02/18/2008, 09:36 AM

I agree I would stick with MH over that DEEP of a tank (assuming normal tank dimentions).

luke33 · 02/18/2008, 09:41 AM

I'd agree, mh's are better in this situation.

Mikigo · 02/18/2008, 09:49 AM

my T5s do not reach the bottom of a 30" tank for sps (ATI 8x54 and Aqutinic 39x14) . i would stick with mh.

SDguy · 02/18/2008, 10:17 AM

T5's won't do this to your canopy if you accidentally leave them sitting on the door

02/17/2008, 10:41 PM	#1
cyberdude47 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 154	So what is the advantage to t5 over MH? huh? So heres the thing i have 4 400 watt metal halides and i was gonna switch over to a 20 lamp 54 watt T5 setup on my 500 gallon and after doing all the math and taking some amperage reading there is actually less of an advantage besides a lil bit of less heat (and those overdriven T5's still put out there fair share). my 4-400's powered by icecaps only draw 13 amps and 20 T5's by 660's is 22 amps even powering them with workhorse ballasts draw 11.5 amps which is hardly worth the switch for less light output. so you guys tell me what your thoughts are on this

02/18/2008, 09:36 AM	#3
evoracer Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Luis Obispo, CA Posts: 571	I agree I would stick with MH over that DEEP of a tank (assuming normal tank dimentions). __________________ ______________________________________________________ Jeremy Second-Decade Club!

02/18/2008, 10:17 AM	#6
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	T5's won't do this to your canopy if you accidentally leave them sitting on the door __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

02/17/2008, 11:22 PM	#2
carb850 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 2,042	I think T5HO's have have some advantages to MH lights in some situations, but in a very large tank were your talking so many bulbs I would say the MH is better. If for nothing else, then for bulb replacement cost alone.

02/18/2008, 09:41 AM	#4
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	I'd agree, mh's are better in this situation.

02/18/2008, 09:49 AM	#5
Mikigo Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 465	my T5s do not reach the bottom of a 30" tank for sps (ATI 8x54 and Aqutinic 39x14) . i would stick with mh.