T5 or MH on a 20g

warr40 · 12/03/2006, 08:57 PM

hey i'm deciding if i should go T5HO or 150MH
-mainly because i think i can run the T5 cheaper b/c i have a workhourse 5 already so all i need is bulbs and reflectors
-on the other hand i can get a 150w sunpod for $150??

i'm planning on keeping softies and SPS and a clam
its a AGA 20H

PS. are these bulbs good
http://www.dtpetsupplies.com/catalog...bulb-24-watts/

what would be better for my corals 150w MH or 4x24w T5HO

how are these bulbs http://www.dtpetsupplies.com/catalog...tt-HO-T5-bulb/

Henry Bowman · 12/03/2006, 10:05 PM

Both links just take you to the home page. At least in my browser. You already have the ballast. Get T5 supplies from www.reefkeek.com and be done with it. ATI's are good bulbs. He's got them too....

warr40 · 12/03/2006, 10:16 PM

are T5's better than MH
coral wise

Ti · 12/03/2006, 10:18 PM

they both work

warr40 · 12/03/2006, 10:33 PM

but 20 a bulb plus 20 a reflector thats 160 rite there i can get a 150w MH for 150

vijaym85 · 12/03/2006, 11:58 PM

MH is nice but my only concern is the heat associated with it. That is quite a lot wattage on 20g, so that would be the only big issue I have. Otherwise MH is a nice looking choice. Both will give you growth. The T5 vs MH with regards to SPS is the only debateable factor . Mh is nice as you need one bulb while T5's need several to compete with a single MH, this means reduced costs in replcements over time, unless you get a good deal on the T5.
So I would consider heat, overall replacement cost, and coral species kept before making a final choice. I personally like MH a lot and love the water ripple effect it gives.

jag1979 · 12/04/2006, 05:59 AM

I would do t5's, they can grow anything

goreefer · 12/04/2006, 08:04 AM

The MH bulb will need to be replaced every 8-9 months, the T5's will last about 18-24 months.
Long term the T5's are less expensive. Also the heat of the MH will be an issue.

warr40 · 12/04/2006, 01:31 PM

o then what bulbs do u think i should get i saw these aquamedic bulbs for 10.25 are they any good

kjord97 · 12/04/2006, 01:38 PM

you can get a good deal on T-5 bulbs at

www.hellolights.com
www.reefjeek.com
www.thatpetplace.com

warr40 · 12/04/2006, 01:50 PM

but i'm asking if the aquamedic bulbs are good because there only 10 bucks

jcm1229 · 12/04/2006, 02:18 PM

I have a sunpod 150 over a 15g and experience <1 degree temp rise during the light cycle.

12/03/2006, 08:57 PM	#1
warr40 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: long island Posts: 442	T5 or MH on a 20g hey i'm deciding if i should go T5HO or 150MH -mainly because i think i can run the T5 cheaper b/c i have a workhourse 5 already so all i need is bulbs and reflectors -on the other hand i can get a 150w sunpod for $150?? i'm planning on keeping softies and SPS and a clam its a AGA 20H PS. are these bulbs good http://www.dtpetsupplies.com/catalog...bulb-24-watts/ what would be better for my corals 150w MH or 4x24w T5HO how are these bulbs http://www.dtpetsupplies.com/catalog...tt-HO-T5-bulb/

12/03/2006, 10:05 PM	#2
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	Both links just take you to the home page. At least in my browser. You already have the ballast. Get T5 supplies from www.reefkeek.com and be done with it. ATI's are good bulbs. He's got them too.... __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works

12/03/2006, 10:16 PM	#3
warr40 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: long island Posts: 442	are T5's better than MH coral wise __________________ ---click my red house to see my 40 Breeder reef--- Current Tank Info: 10g reef and 40B reef(pending)

12/03/2006, 10:18 PM	#4
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	they both work __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

12/03/2006, 10:33 PM	#5
warr40 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: long island Posts: 442	but 20 a bulb plus 20 a reflector thats 160 rite there i can get a 150w MH for 150 __________________ ---click my red house to see my 40 Breeder reef--- Current Tank Info: 10g reef and 40B reef(pending)

12/03/2006, 11:58 PM	#6
vijaym85 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Queens NYC Posts: 1,296	MH is nice but my only concern is the heat associated with it. That is quite a lot wattage on 20g, so that would be the only big issue I have. Otherwise MH is a nice looking choice. Both will give you growth. The T5 vs MH with regards to SPS is the only debateable factor . Mh is nice as you need one bulb while T5's need several to compete with a single MH, this means reduced costs in replcements over time, unless you get a good deal on the T5. So I would consider heat, overall replacement cost, and coral species kept before making a final choice. I personally like MH a lot and love the water ripple effect it gives.

12/04/2006, 05:59 AM	#7
jag1979 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 982	I would do t5's, they can grow anything __________________ clowns, bi-color pseudo, coral beauty, yellow tang GBTA, crocea clam xenia, various polyps/zoa's, candy cane, tree leather, frogspawn, torch, various mushrooms, green/red plate, birdsnest Current Tank Info: 180 AGA, tunze 6100, 6025 and 6060, 3 x 250 mh's, 3 x 80 t5's, ASM G4+

12/04/2006, 08:04 AM	#8
goreefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 825	The MH bulb will need to be replaced every 8-9 months, the T5's will last about 18-24 months. Long term the T5's are less expensive. Also the heat of the MH will be an issue.

12/04/2006, 01:31 PM	#9
warr40 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: long island Posts: 442	o then what bulbs do u think i should get i saw these aquamedic bulbs for 10.25 are they any good __________________ ---click my red house to see my 40 Breeder reef--- Current Tank Info: 10g reef and 40B reef(pending)

12/04/2006, 01:38 PM	#10
kjord97 Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chaptico, Md Posts: 248	you can get a good deal on T-5 bulbs at www.hellolights.com www.reefjeek.com www.thatpetplace.com __________________ 180 Gal Deep Reef 40 gal sump, Octopus 200 Skimmer, 3 x 250 MH XM 10K 150 Gal 31" Tall Reef 35 Gal sump, Octopus 150 Skimmer, 3 x 250 MH Radium 20K, 58 Gal Reef Tank in the wall next to fire place 28 Gal JBJ 150 HQI 24 Gal JBJ Nano

12/04/2006, 01:50 PM	#11
warr40 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: long island Posts: 442	but i'm asking if the aquamedic bulbs are good because there only 10 bucks

12/04/2006, 02:18 PM	#12
jcm1229 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Park Ridge, IL Posts: 1,780	I have a sunpod 150 over a 15g and experience <1 degree temp rise during the light cycle.