MH, T5, PC, or LED?

[clawlan]

I have a 120g that I am going to turn into a reef tank. I have been trying to decide the lighting. I was originally almost settled on MH over OPC and T5 but then I started reading about LED. What do you think?

[ReefRockerLive]

If you can afford LED lighting, give that a try. I've seen pictures of Softies and LPS under LED lighting, but not any SPS. I would go for an 8 bulb T5 fixture over MH because you will get a wider range of spectrum with the many choices of bulbs.

[cbusreefer]

with T5, you won't have quite as big a problem with heat fluctuations as you would with MH. From what I've seen, LED is not worth it, considering you can get the same effects with the ladder two for 1/4th the price... IMO

[clawlan]

hm, good points. I will take a harder look into t5. The biggest thing that was drawing me to the LED was the bulb life and cost savings (not to mention a fraction of the heat output). I was looking at a 48" LED system that has the same specs/output as a 400 watt 20k MH setup but it was $2700...

[RyanMKintz]

All about money but cant really go wrong with T5

[clawlan]

what do you think about those lighting units that have 4 t-5's and a couple metal halides? are they worth it?

[ReefRockerLive]

With the MH/T5 combo you get the best of both worlds and higher electric usage. Stick with T5 lighting unless you want the shimmer from the MH.

[clawlan]

I have never actually seen a tank in person that was using MH so I don't know what this "shimmer" looks like. Are there any pics out there?

[ReefRockerLive]

I haven't seen any pics that show the shimmer effect. This effect is easily seen in a video. Maybe someone with MH and a video can chime in.

[cbusreefer]

the "shimmer effect" is something you have to see in person. IMO, it really brings a reef to life. Best way to explain? Hmmm, I'll try. Since your water surface is always moving, when the light travels through the surface of your tank, it's more visible as it constantly reflects andbends at all different angles.
Have you ever stood on a beach with your feet in the water while the sun was shining? Just like that...
lol, sorry, but that's the best way i could describe it without showing you

[clawlan]

ok, I understand what you are saying. Yea thats definitely aesthetically appealing but I am having a hard time justifying the cost, power consumption, and heat output. I like the idea of an 8 bulb T-5HO though now that I am learning more about it. Also was reading about Overdriving them by using an icecap ballast to boost the output of the 54w bulbs to 80-85 watts. But then again, that involves some customization and building which
i am not sure i am up for...

[BrianH]

I would suggest you do more research both on this board and in person at your LFS before making this decision. Remember, if you go with MH, you won't be limited on any livestock.

[ReefRockerLive]

Depending on what your budget is you can buy either a Fauna Marin or ATI fixture as both give similar intensity from that of overdriven T5 bulbs. They also run at the same wattege.

[ReefRockerLive]

Originally posted by BrianH
Remember, if you go with MH, you won't be limited on any livestock.

I should modify that comment as it is missing something.

"Remember, if you go with either MH OR T5, you won't be limited on any live stock. "

[clawlan]

Originally posted by ReefRockerLive
I should modify that comment as it is missing something.

"Remember, if you go with either MH OR T5, you won't be limited on any live stock. "

well i like that t-5 won';t limit me, because that was one of my main concerns.

Also, I'll check out those other lighting fixtures that have the overdrive power without the custom building. Thanks for teh advice.

[Nereaga]

I run Mh and love em. Everyone that comes over says the same thing.... How do you get it to shimmer?

My temp only flucuates about a degree with running my lights for 12hrs.

Now running them is a different story they are pricey, with electronic ballasts, my 150's run me about 30-40 a month. Now I run them for 12hrs with no supplemental lighting. It could be cheaper....

If you can afford it, Mh all the way!

HTH,

Brad

[MrRoo]

I am in the same boat. I want to go T5 but I don't want to have to upgrade later if I cannot keep certain corals on the bottom of the tank. I will only be able to have 4 T5 bulbs though and I am thinking MH's would be better....

[JNye]

overdriven T5s= 80x8=640 watts. low bulb life with more bulbs =higher bulb replacement cost also. No shimmer, less heat though prolly need a fan?, more bulb choices.
2x250 on watt MH-500 watt, only 2 bulbs to replace. with lumenbrights i believe a fan is all you need to deal with heat issues since they are higher up. I'm a MH guy personally, I'd like to try T5s but I think they are better suited for smaller tanks, 24" long. JMO. also i don't feel the need for actinic with my reeflux 12ks, I like to use my VHOs for viewing only anymore, if I want a bluer color.

[Tang Salad]

Also, the T5 vs. MH heat issue is not as clear-cut as most people believe. MHs DO NOT produce more heat than T5s.

[jlone101]

LED if you are rich and willing to gamble....but MH are standard

[pprmntshrmps]

If MH produces more heat over T5 or not is debateable. But the heat is concentrated in a smaller area so it at the very least seems like more heat.

I have seen on the web several inexpensive LED lights that you use to suppliment T5s to get the shimmer effect of MH. I think its like 1 LED for every foot of lenth to the tank or something like that. I don't know if it actually does give the shimmer, but thats what the ads say.

[clawlan]

Im really liking the ATI lighting setups. Looks like a 6x54w is about $799. Thats def in the range that I was expecting.

http://www.reefgeek.com/manufacturer...tput_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_by_ATI