here we go again.... pc, t-5 vs. mh lighting....

WestTxReefer · 10/23/2009, 02:17 PM

ok so heres my dilema. I DON'T like the look of my metal halides in my tank. I am currently running 2 175w MH's and 2 florescant atinict bulbs in my tank. I want a smoother bluer look to my tank. Everyone i talk to that has the nova extreme t-5 8 bulb set up loves them, but on the other hand i hear you dont get the growth on the corals as you normally would with MH's.

So i would liek your opinions on the matter. i know i know weve been over this time and time again, but im gonna ask anyway

azcummins · 10/23/2009, 02:19 PM

What is the temperature rating of your MH's (often written as 10K, 12K, 14K, etc)?

Getting more blue is easily achieved with the right temp bulb.

WestTxReefer · 10/23/2009, 02:33 PM

they are 10000k's i heard i could go up to the 14000k's and i would get a bluer look, this true?

Toddrtrex · 10/23/2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestTxReefer

they are 10000k's i heard i could go up to the 14000k's and i would get a bluer look, this true?

In general the higher the Kelvin the bluer the look.

Depending on what 10,000K bulbs you are using they could have a yellow tint to them. So trying a 14,000K or 20,000K bulb should give you a bluer look.

azcummins · 10/23/2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestTxReefer

they are 10000k's i heard i could go up to the 14000k's and i would get a bluer look, this true?

There is your issue right there. 10K's give you good growth, but make your corals look like poop. You can try to wash out the yellow tint w/heavy actinic supplementation, but there is an easier solution that you already touched on.

Up your color temp to 14K or higher. Some people even go for 20K for an ultra blue look, but then you'll see coral growth drop off.

So 14K is a nice middle ground.

WestTxReefer · 10/23/2009, 02:40 PM

what if i tried 1 20k and 1 14k, i know the lower end of the temp cause better growth, but like i stated before i want the bluer look. Im not ever sure "bluer" is a word but yeh whateverlol.

azcummins · 10/23/2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestTxReefer

what if i tried 1 20k and 1 14k, i know the lower end of the temp cause better growth, but like i stated before i want the bluer look. Im not ever sure "bluer" is a word but yeh whateverlol.

You can do that. One end of your tank might be a different shade than the other tho...Would make for a fun party trick.

WestTxReefer · 10/23/2009, 02:47 PM

lol well yeh, oh btw i need to post pics of my lighting stand you guys would laugh like mad. it consists of an I beam made out of 2x4's hahaha

jbird69 · 10/23/2009, 05:34 PM

radiums baby!

Rockhead21564 · 10/23/2009, 07:12 PM

the color of the kelvin equals a related depth in the ocean. So using certain "colors" is only good depending on what corals you're keeping. That said, I'm moving from 2000 watts of MH - 250 wtt 12k and 400w 10k, + 480w ctinic to 1080watts of T5 using 10k,15k,true actinic, blue and 6.7k. TEMP,TEMP, and TEMP. Selling a 1/2hp chiller and cutting energy cost by $200 permonth.

dsn112 · 10/23/2009, 07:23 PM

I was using an Icecap 20k bulb before and loved the balance of the blue and white

lordofthereef · 10/23/2009, 10:05 PM

I agree with what has been said about MH, color temps, etc. I will also point out that, as far as I have seen, T5s really do give the most color customization of anything on the market right now. Still prefer the halides though, just saying.

a 10k on one side and a 14k on the other is going to look silly IMO. There is going to be a clear difference in color, not a blend, if that is what you are expecting. If you don't like the whole tank under 10k, you will not like the half that you keep under 10k LOL

tims28gnano · 10/24/2009, 05:19 PM

My MH bulb blew out so I ran to the only LFS that had lights, paid WAY too much for the light, came home and put it in. My wife and I were both suprised at how BLUE and cool it looked! - - - this was before I even knew about this stuff! 14000 kelvin was the answer!

steve bridgend · 10/24/2009, 05:24 PM

get t5 overall the better option its a myth that mh are better unless youre using 400watt bulbs but then your electric bills will go through the roof

10/23/2009, 02:17 PM	#1
WestTxReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: odessa, Tx Posts: 221	here we go again.... pc, t-5 vs. mh lighting.... ok so heres my dilema. I DON'T like the look of my metal halides in my tank. I am currently running 2 175w MH's and 2 florescant atinict bulbs in my tank. I want a smoother bluer look to my tank. Everyone i talk to that has the nova extreme t-5 8 bulb set up loves them, but on the other hand i hear you dont get the growth on the corals as you normally would with MH's. So i would liek your opinions on the matter. i know i know weve been over this time and time again, but im gonna ask anyway __________________ tacos? did someone say tacos? Current Tank Info: 150 DD Marineland, upcoming shallow reef tank

10/23/2009, 02:19 PM	#2
azcummins Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Central Tennessee Posts: 159	What is the temperature rating of your MH's (often written as 10K, 12K, 14K, etc)? Getting more blue is easily achieved with the right temp bulb. __________________ Winter is the worst invention ever! Current Tank Info: 450g

10/23/2009, 02:33 PM	#3
WestTxReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: odessa, Tx Posts: 221	they are 10000k's i heard i could go up to the 14000k's and i would get a bluer look, this true? __________________ tacos? did someone say tacos? Current Tank Info: 150 DD Marineland, upcoming shallow reef tank

10/23/2009, 02:40 PM	#6
WestTxReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: odessa, Tx Posts: 221	what if i tried 1 20k and 1 14k, i know the lower end of the temp cause better growth, but like i stated before i want the bluer look. Im not ever sure "bluer" is a word but yeh whateverlol. __________________ tacos? did someone say tacos? Current Tank Info: 150 DD Marineland, upcoming shallow reef tank

10/23/2009, 02:47 PM	#8
WestTxReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: odessa, Tx Posts: 221	lol well yeh, oh btw i need to post pics of my lighting stand you guys would laugh like mad. it consists of an I beam made out of 2x4's hahaha __________________ tacos? did someone say tacos? Current Tank Info: 150 DD Marineland, upcoming shallow reef tank

10/23/2009, 05:34 PM	#9
jbird69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The beautiful State of Jefferson Posts: 2,751	radiums baby! __________________ Broke Back Mountain is not a movie, its the pile of dead ninjas in Chuck Norris' back yard

10/23/2009, 07:12 PM	#10
Rockhead21564 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Up North Vanderbilt, Michigan Posts: 525	the color of the kelvin equals a related depth in the ocean. So using certain "colors" is only good depending on what corals you're keeping. That said, I'm moving from 2000 watts of MH - 250 wtt 12k and 400w 10k, + 480w ctinic to 1080watts of T5 using 10k,15k,true actinic, blue and 6.7k. TEMP,TEMP, and TEMP. Selling a 1/2hp chiller and cutting energy cost by $200 permonth. __________________ Sometimes I just don't get IT ! I want IT, but she won't let me buy anything else. Well, that she knows about anyway, Bah hahahaha Current Tank Info: 280g reef w/90g refug/reef & 90g sump;210g FOWLR W/20"Pnthr Grper,10"niger,36"zebra & 24" Tiger eels. 55g clam tank w/ 9,"8",6",5"& 4" Corceas, 9" Blue &12"orange squamosas

10/23/2009, 07:23 PM	#11
dsn112 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,139	I was using an Icecap 20k bulb before and loved the balance of the blue and white __________________ I'm disturbed! I'm depressed! I'm inadequate! I got it all!! Current Tank Info: Fluval Edge w LED freshwater. Looking at doing a 20-40g long penninsula fowlr soon

10/23/2009, 10:05 PM	#12
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I agree with what has been said about MH, color temps, etc. I will also point out that, as far as I have seen, T5s really do give the most color customization of anything on the market right now. Still prefer the halides though, just saying. a 10k on one side and a 14k on the other is going to look silly IMO. There is going to be a clear difference in color, not a blend, if that is what you are expecting. If you don't like the whole tank under 10k, you will not like the half that you keep under 10k LOL __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

10/24/2009, 05:19 PM	#13
tims28gnano Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Jones Beach Posts: 343	My MH bulb blew out so I ran to the only LFS that had lights, paid WAY too much for the light, came home and put it in. My wife and I were both suprised at how BLUE and cool it looked! - - - this was before I even knew about this stuff! 14000 kelvin was the answer!

10/24/2009, 05:24 PM	#14
steve bridgend Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 56	get t5 overall the better option its a myth that mh are better unless youre using 400watt bulbs but then your electric bills will go through the roof