T5 VS Halides

reef master jon · 07/09/2008, 08:52 AM

i am new to this world of reefing. and i was looking into getting some lighting for my 80gal tank. i want to house sps. i say the tank of the mounth and i was extremly happy. just because i was told that metal halides are the only was of keeping sps. so i any know out there on what type T5 light fixtures of bulbs (i have canopy) i can use please let me know. also i was told that i have to at least have 600-800watts .

thanks jon

JRaquatics · 07/09/2008, 09:09 AM

Welcome to Reef Central and to the addiction of reef keeping. First thing you will learn is there are many of successful ways to set up a reef tank. You can definitely set up a great SPS tank with just t5s. Actually you have more options in the type of colors and light you get with t5s than you do with MH. I would search through the threads here on RC. You will find debates between the two and thread solely on MH or T5.

phenom5 · 07/09/2008, 10:48 AM

I'm looking to go with T5's on my SPS dominated reef myself. And yes, the TOTM really helped the decision making process. You should also check out Danano's TOTM for another great example of what T5's can do (certainly there are lots of other examples of great T5 tanks, both TOTM & not TOTM, but that's one that comes to mind).

I would check out hellolights or reefgeek for some good deals on T5 retrofits that you could install into your canopy.

The big thing about T5's, you want individual reflectors. The Icecap SLR's, and the Tek II reflectors are considered by many as some of the best.

Not sure on the number of bulbs without knowing the dimensions of your tank.

As far as bulb combinations, and for more info, check out the T5 FAQ thread. That thread is HUGE, I went back through 7 splits, and I still couldn't find the start of it.

SHOmuchFUN · 07/09/2008, 11:17 AM

I've tried T-5's in the past and couldn't get the growth or coloration out of them as I ever did with halides.

Sure, there are success stories of people using T-5's and getting great coloration and growth, but I feel that those stories are fewer and far between than the success stories with halides. It's my perception that people that get good results with T-5's are those that have complete control over the entire aquarium. I think that halides offer more leeway to be a bit more lax. with your husbandry and still get decent results.

JMO and YMMV

07/09/2008, 08:52 AM	#1
reef master jon Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: tracy, California Posts: 127	T5 VS Halides i am new to this world of reefing. and i was looking into getting some lighting for my 80gal tank. i want to house sps. i say the tank of the mounth and i was extremly happy. just because i was told that metal halides are the only was of keeping sps. so i any know out there on what type T5 light fixtures of bulbs (i have canopy) i can use please let me know. also i was told that i have to at least have 600-800watts . thanks jon

07/09/2008, 10:48 AM	#3
phenom5 Unregistered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,096	I'm looking to go with T5's on my SPS dominated reef myself. And yes, the TOTM really helped the decision making process. You should also check out Danano's TOTM for another great example of what T5's can do (certainly there are lots of other examples of great T5 tanks, both TOTM & not TOTM, but that's one that comes to mind). I would check out hellolights or reefgeek for some good deals on T5 retrofits that you could install into your canopy. The big thing about T5's, you want individual reflectors. The Icecap SLR's, and the Tek II reflectors are considered by many as some of the best. Not sure on the number of bulbs without knowing the dimensions of your tank. As far as bulb combinations, and for more info, check out the T5 FAQ thread. That thread is HUGE, I went back through 7 splits, and I still couldn't find the start of it. __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: DSA 155 Pro \| ATI Sunpower \| ATB 840 v2 \| Apex \| Wav

07/09/2008, 11:17 AM	#4
SHOmuchFUN Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 4,461	I've tried T-5's in the past and couldn't get the growth or coloration out of them as I ever did with halides. Sure, there are success stories of people using T-5's and getting great coloration and growth, but I feel that those stories are fewer and far between than the success stories with halides. It's my perception that people that get good results with T-5's are those that have complete control over the entire aquarium. I think that halides offer more leeway to be a bit more lax. with your husbandry and still get decent results. JMO and YMMV __________________ Erik Engstrom President, Vermont Marine Aquarists. Current Tank Info: Custom 180gal, 6x80w ATI T-5s, (2) Tunze 6025, Vortec MP40w, MSX200 w/ red demon, controlled by AcJR.

07/09/2008, 09:09 AM	#2
JRaquatics Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On RC Posts: 3,609	Welcome to Reef Central and to the addiction of reef keeping. First thing you will learn is there are many of successful ways to set up a reef tank. You can definitely set up a great SPS tank with just t5s. Actually you have more options in the type of colors and light you get with t5s than you do with MH. I would search through the threads here on RC. You will find debates between the two and thread solely on MH or T5.