T5/MH combo thoughts

HumbleLobster · 05/30/2008, 07:39 AM

Hello all,

I recently purchased a 75 gallon setup for a decent price, but there was no lighting included in the deal, however there is a custom canopy. The tank is 48" long with a center brace.

I'm trying to determine what retro lighting I should use in this case. The options are:

1) Icecap 660 with 4x54w T5 and 2x150w MH (ballast undetermined at this point)
2) Icecap 430 with 2x54w T5 and 2x250w MH (ballast undetermined)

I'll be using individual reflectors on the T5. Energy wise, these are about the same on paper, but that doesn't include the fact that the T5s will be overdriven by the ballasts, or the inefficiencies of the MH ballast.

I'll be keeping SPS/zoas, with a few inverts also. I've seen some amazing color with T5 tanks before, but I'm not sure exactly what would be the best option here for a SPS dominated tank. I realize this is a lot of light, but I'll be using 10K MH bulbs, and I'll want the acintic power of the T5.

Thanks!

P.S. I'll also take ballast recommendations based upon your vote for the 150w or 250w MH in your response.

liquidlunch · 05/30/2008, 07:47 AM

C) 2x54w T5 IC 660 and 2x250w MH

I have a 90 which is the same footprint.

(1) Super Act and (1) BluePlus overdriven by a IC660
(2) XM 10k driven by IC 250w MH

** the MH's alone were way too yella**

HumbleLobster · 05/30/2008, 07:52 AM

Liquid, I was looking at that but I wasn't sure exactly what wattage the bulbs were being overdriven to.

And I agree, the 10k XM bulbs are pretty yellow, but they have amazing growth on the tanks I've seen; how is your growth?

liquidlunch · 05/30/2008, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by HumbleLobster
Liquid, I was looking at that but I wasn't sure exactly what wattage the bulbs were being overdriven to.

And I agree, the 10k XM bulbs are pretty yellow, but they have amazing growth on the tanks I've seen; how is your growth?

54w's on a 660 are overdriven to 80w
54w's on a 430 are overdriven to low 70's I believe(I would have to search the IC forum for that exact number)

In my canopy, I couldn't fit (4) T5's even if I wanted to b/c there is simply no room b/c of the MH reflectors. I wish that I ran this config from the getgo rather than evolving from NO's to VHO's to T5's to MH's w/ T5 supp (fowler > reef)

After everything got adjusted, the growth and color is nice.

J4Life · 05/30/2008, 08:37 AM

I have a 74 gallon RT and I am running 2 - 250W, 10K XM's on ARO electronic ballasts and I am running 2 T5 ATI Blue+ bulbs on an IceCap 660 with IceCap SLR's.

I really don't know why people say that the 10K XM's are two yellow. My guess is that they are not positioned properly in the mogul. I had the same problem but once I found the right position the bulbs became a clear, crisp white.

Also I tried several of the UVL bulbs and found that they really didn't produce the results I was looking for.

Hope that helps. I am actually going to switch over to 12k Reeflux bulbs and see how I like them.

liquidlunch · 05/30/2008, 08:49 AM

As you know, color is a personal preference and I can only speak for myself. When I stand in front of my tank and switch the supplimental lighting on/off, that's how I can say that they are too yellow. I actually may go to XM 12k's next time around.

Quote:

Originally posted by J4Life
I have a 74 gallon RT and I am running 2 - 250W, 10K XM's on ARO electronic ballasts and I am running 2 T5 ATI Blue+ bulbs on an IceCap 660 with IceCap SLR's.

I really don't know why people say that the 10K XM's are two yellow. My guess is that they are not positioned properly in the mogul. I had the same problem but once I found the right position the bulbs became a clear, crisp white.

Also I tried several of the UVL bulbs and found that they really didn't produce the results I was looking for.

Hope that helps. I am actually going to switch over to 12k Reeflux bulbs and see how I like them.

builderguy · 05/30/2008, 11:17 AM

My XMs were yellow too...until I switched to Ice Cap electronic ballasts...now the are BLUE/WHITE...perfect

TWallace · 05/30/2008, 12:10 PM

I seriously doubt you'll have room to run 4 x 54w T5s on that tank with MH bulbs.

My current tank has something similar to what you want. I run 2 x 250w Reeflux 12k bulbs with 2 x 54w actinic T5s. I love the color of the Reeflux 12ks. I tried Reeflux 10ks prior to these and thought it was ugly, too yellow and and it washed out the colors of my corals. Made it look very dull.

HumbleLobster · 05/30/2008, 12:22 PM

After some measuring, I'd be cutting it close, but then I'd have to use crappy reflectors on the MH or the T5.

J4Life · 05/30/2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by liquidlunch
As you know, color is a personal preference and I can only speak for myself. When I stand in front of my tank and switch the supplimental lighting on/off, that's how I can say that they are too yellow. I actually may go to XM 12k's next time around.

True but I think XM bulbs get a bad rap because in most cases they're not positioned correctly.

View Poll Results: Which light combo to use?
2x54w T5 and 2x150w MH	4	50.00%
4x54w T5 and 2x250w MH	4	50.00%
Voters: 8. You may not vote on this poll

05/30/2008, 07:39 AM	#1
HumbleLobster Should be Quarantined Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tucson Posts: 432	T5/MH combo thoughts Hello all, I recently purchased a 75 gallon setup for a decent price, but there was no lighting included in the deal, however there is a custom canopy. The tank is 48" long with a center brace. I'm trying to determine what retro lighting I should use in this case. The options are: 1) Icecap 660 with 4x54w T5 and 2x150w MH (ballast undetermined at this point) 2) Icecap 430 with 2x54w T5 and 2x250w MH (ballast undetermined) I'll be using individual reflectors on the T5. Energy wise, these are about the same on paper, but that doesn't include the fact that the T5s will be overdriven by the ballasts, or the inefficiencies of the MH ballast. I'll be keeping SPS/zoas, with a few inverts also. I've seen some amazing color with T5 tanks before, but I'm not sure exactly what would be the best option here for a SPS dominated tank. I realize this is a lot of light, but I'll be using 10K MH bulbs, and I'll want the acintic power of the T5. Thanks! P.S. I'll also take ballast recommendations based upon your vote for the 150w or 250w MH in your response.

05/30/2008, 08:37 AM	#5
J4Life Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 1,397	I have a 74 gallon RT and I am running 2 - 250W, 10K XM's on ARO electronic ballasts and I am running 2 T5 ATI Blue+ bulbs on an IceCap 660 with IceCap SLR's. I really don't know why people say that the 10K XM's are two yellow. My guess is that they are not positioned properly in the mogul. I had the same problem but once I found the right position the bulbs became a clear, crisp white. Also I tried several of the UVL bulbs and found that they really didn't produce the results I was looking for. Hope that helps. I am actually going to switch over to 12k Reeflux bulbs and see how I like them. __________________ Go Panthers! Got JC? <o)))>< Current Tank Info: 75 gallon, Reef tank

05/30/2008, 07:47 AM	#2
liquidlunch Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Neptune, NJ Posts: 503	C) 2x54w T5 IC 660 and 2x250w MH I have a 90 which is the same footprint. (1) Super Act and (1) BluePlus overdriven by a IC660 (2) XM 10k driven by IC 250w MH the MH's alone were way too yella

05/30/2008, 07:52 AM	#3
HumbleLobster Should be Quarantined Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tucson Posts: 432	Liquid, I was looking at that but I wasn't sure exactly what wattage the bulbs were being overdriven to. And I agree, the 10k XM bulbs are pretty yellow, but they have amazing growth on the tanks I've seen; how is your growth?

05/30/2008, 11:17 AM	#7
builderguy Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: North Natomas, CA Posts: 1,470	My XMs were yellow too...until I switched to Ice Cap electronic ballasts...now the are BLUE/WHITE...perfect

05/30/2008, 12:10 PM	#8
TWallace Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,464	I seriously doubt you'll have room to run 4 x 54w T5s on that tank with MH bulbs. My current tank has something similar to what you want. I run 2 x 250w Reeflux 12k bulbs with 2 x 54w actinic T5s. I love the color of the Reeflux 12ks. I tried Reeflux 10ks prior to these and thought it was ugly, too yellow and and it washed out the colors of my corals. Made it look very dull.

05/30/2008, 12:22 PM	#9
HumbleLobster Should be Quarantined Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tucson Posts: 432	After some measuring, I'd be cutting it close, but then I'd have to use crappy reflectors on the MH or the T5.