Get sunpod or get bulbs for crappy 4x39 t5

Alysiak00 · 10/20/2010, 06:04 PM

Hello everyone. need some opinions. I can either get a sunpod 2x150w with moonlights or buy new bulbs for my current usa 4x39w t5 fixture. The tank is a 45 (same dimensions as 40 breeder but taller) and i'm keeping mostly softies in it but a few sps (birdsnest, pocillipora, blasto). thanks in advance

chimmike · 10/20/2010, 06:14 PM

the T5's should be fine. It'll be cheaper to replace the bulbs than to get a new fixture, as well. Plus halides will generate more heat, especially 300w worth over your 156w.

Alysiak00 · 10/20/2010, 06:34 PM

the bulbs are 20 bucks a pop which i need four (4 x 20=80 bucks plus 20 for shipping). The sunpod has brand new bulbs for the same price

chimmike · 10/20/2010, 07:03 PM

brand new sunpod WITH bulbs for $100? Where is this?

I guess if you're down with the additional heat and power consumption, that's fine.

personally, I'd stick with the T5's.

Alysiak00 · 10/20/2010, 07:22 PM

its a used sunpod but it has new 14k bulbs in it. it was on a 40 breeder and he said its too much light for such a shallow tank. its for sale real cheap or i can spend the money on new bulbs. the only issue with that is that the fixture isn't the best. it doesn't have individual reflectors and its kind of a cheap brand (current usa)

roneil · 10/20/2010, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chimmike

i guess if you're down with the additional heat and power consumption, that's fine.

Personally, i'd stick with the t5's.

+ 1

SoFLreef · 10/20/2010, 07:34 PM

+1 Agreed stay with T5s

Alysiak00 · 10/20/2010, 07:55 PM

even though the fixture isn't perfect? if it was an ati fixture i'd think it was a no brainer.

Alysiak00 · 10/20/2010, 07:56 PM

even though the fixture isn't perfect? if it was an ati fixture i'd think it was a no brainer. i just didn't know if the mh and extra wattage would excel coral growth

Mylilreef · 10/20/2010, 09:00 PM

imo, you have to be real careful with the mh on your softies. too intense of light for most. i'd stick with the t5. better color options too.

lordofthereef · 10/20/2010, 09:39 PM

Well, what exactly is "imperfect" or "crappy" about your current T5 fixture? Sounds to me you are trying to sell us on the halides. If you really want them, go for it. All of the potential risks have basically been mentioned here.

johnwonus · 10/20/2010, 10:10 PM

Go with the T5. Individual reflectors will not make that much difference on such a shallow tank. The MH create a lot of heat and draw a lot more power so they cost more to run. Depending where you live you could have water temp problems. Softies will like the T5 better. JMO

Alysiak00 · 10/21/2010, 06:05 AM

sweet thanks everyone. looks like new ati bulbs here i come lol

Reverend Reefer · 10/21/2010, 10:12 AM

i was originally not so happy with my T5s but then i discovered the T5 Q&A thread in the Lighting/equipment forum, put some nice ATI Blue+, ATI ABS, and Fiji Purple bulbs. wow. makes a huge difference when you get the right bulb combination. i was originally running standard 10K and actinics but the changeover to this new bulb combination is insane in terms of aesthetics and growth.

Alysiak00 · 10/21/2010, 10:55 AM

sweet, just what i wanted to hear. i'm going for the same bulb combo actually except i'm getting a purple plus instead of a fiji. (basically the same bulb but higher par)

10/20/2010, 06:04 PM	#1
Alysiak00 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: N. Ridgeville, Ohio Posts: 1,835	Get sunpod or get bulbs for crappy 4x39 t5 Hello everyone. need some opinions. I can either get a sunpod 2x150w with moonlights or buy new bulbs for my current usa 4x39w t5 fixture. The tank is a 45 (same dimensions as 40 breeder but taller) and i'm keeping mostly softies in it but a few sps (birdsnest, pocillipora, blasto). thanks in advance __________________ 40Br/40Br Sump-2xMp40's, mag 9.5, 250w Maristar w/ Bluewave Ballast, DIY stand, SRO1000, 2xBrs Deluxe Reactors -“Ocean: A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills.” - Ambrose Bierce

10/20/2010, 06:14 PM	#2
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	the T5's should be fine. It'll be cheaper to replace the bulbs than to get a new fixture, as well. Plus halides will generate more heat, especially 300w worth over your 156w. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

10/20/2010, 06:34 PM	#3
Alysiak00 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: N. Ridgeville, Ohio Posts: 1,835	the bulbs are 20 bucks a pop which i need four (4 x 20=80 bucks plus 20 for shipping). The sunpod has brand new bulbs for the same price __________________ 40Br/40Br Sump-2xMp40's, mag 9.5, 250w Maristar w/ Bluewave Ballast, DIY stand, SRO1000, 2xBrs Deluxe Reactors -“Ocean: A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills.” - Ambrose Bierce

10/20/2010, 07:03 PM	#4
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	brand new sunpod WITH bulbs for $100? Where is this? I guess if you're down with the additional heat and power consumption, that's fine. personally, I'd stick with the T5's. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

10/20/2010, 07:22 PM	#5
Alysiak00 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: N. Ridgeville, Ohio Posts: 1,835	its a used sunpod but it has new 14k bulbs in it. it was on a 40 breeder and he said its too much light for such a shallow tank. its for sale real cheap or i can spend the money on new bulbs. the only issue with that is that the fixture isn't the best. it doesn't have individual reflectors and its kind of a cheap brand (current usa) __________________ 40Br/40Br Sump-2xMp40's, mag 9.5, 250w Maristar w/ Bluewave Ballast, DIY stand, SRO1000, 2xBrs Deluxe Reactors -“Ocean: A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills.” - Ambrose Bierce

10/20/2010, 07:34 PM	#7
SoFLreef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 300	+1 Agreed stay with T5s

10/20/2010, 07:55 PM	#8
Alysiak00 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: N. Ridgeville, Ohio Posts: 1,835	even though the fixture isn't perfect? if it was an ati fixture i'd think it was a no brainer. __________________ 40Br/40Br Sump-2xMp40's, mag 9.5, 250w Maristar w/ Bluewave Ballast, DIY stand, SRO1000, 2xBrs Deluxe Reactors -“Ocean: A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills.” - Ambrose Bierce

10/20/2010, 07:56 PM	#9
Alysiak00 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: N. Ridgeville, Ohio Posts: 1,835	even though the fixture isn't perfect? if it was an ati fixture i'd think it was a no brainer. i just didn't know if the mh and extra wattage would excel coral growth __________________ 40Br/40Br Sump-2xMp40's, mag 9.5, 250w Maristar w/ Bluewave Ballast, DIY stand, SRO1000, 2xBrs Deluxe Reactors -“Ocean: A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills.” - Ambrose Bierce

10/20/2010, 09:00 PM	#10
Mylilreef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 304	imo, you have to be real careful with the mh on your softies. too intense of light for most. i'd stick with the t5. better color options too. __________________ -Cory Current Tank Info: 55g mixed reef (upgrading to 150g Tall), 30g Long w/softies(soon to be a sump for the 150g), 20g Tall mixed, 5g w/softies, 10g quarantine that somehow turned into another softy tank

10/20/2010, 09:39 PM	#11
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Well, what exactly is "imperfect" or "crappy" about your current T5 fixture? Sounds to me you are trying to sell us on the halides. If you really want them, go for it. All of the potential risks have basically been mentioned here. __________________ "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!

10/20/2010, 10:10 PM	#12
johnwonus Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 90	Go with the T5. Individual reflectors will not make that much difference on such a shallow tank. The MH create a lot of heat and draw a lot more power so they cost more to run. Depending where you live you could have water temp problems. Softies will like the T5 better. JMO

10/21/2010, 06:05 AM	#13
Alysiak00 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: N. Ridgeville, Ohio Posts: 1,835	sweet thanks everyone. looks like new ati bulbs here i come lol __________________ 40Br/40Br Sump-2xMp40's, mag 9.5, 250w Maristar w/ Bluewave Ballast, DIY stand, SRO1000, 2xBrs Deluxe Reactors -“Ocean: A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills.” - Ambrose Bierce

10/21/2010, 10:12 AM	#14
Reverend Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 883	i was originally not so happy with my T5s but then i discovered the T5 Q&A thread in the Lighting/equipment forum, put some nice ATI Blue+, ATI ABS, and Fiji Purple bulbs. wow. makes a huge difference when you get the right bulb combination. i was originally running standard 10K and actinics but the changeover to this new bulb combination is insane in terms of aesthetics and growth. __________________ - Rev. Tank: 65G glass 48" long tank; Sump/Fuge: 30G. Lighting: LEDs+single T5 strip. Maintenance: ATO Kalkwasser + 10% weekly WC, daily feedings LPS+Softies dominated.

10/21/2010, 10:55 AM	#15
Alysiak00 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: N. Ridgeville, Ohio Posts: 1,835	sweet, just what i wanted to hear. i'm going for the same bulb combo actually except i'm getting a purple plus instead of a fiji. (basically the same bulb but higher par) __________________ 40Br/40Br Sump-2xMp40's, mag 9.5, 250w Maristar w/ Bluewave Ballast, DIY stand, SRO1000, 2xBrs Deluxe Reactors -“Ocean: A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills.” - Ambrose Bierce

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