switching from t-5 to halides, need some suggestions

Dorado13 · 07/28/2007, 05:31 PM

I initially went with t-5s over halides to save on energy costs and heat production, but I am not terribly pleased with the colors I am getting from T-5s. The t-5s also produce a healthy amount of heat and i'm really not saving that much on energy. I've decided that I want to get some deeper colors, so i'm going to switch to 2x250w halides. I don't know much about halides but I've heard good things about lumenarc III reflectors and icecap ballasts. I'd like to get some suggestions on reflectors, ballasts and bulbs. My tank is a 120g 4'x2'x2' with mostly SPS. thanks for the help.

luke33 · 07/28/2007, 06:36 PM

T5's have way more color options than MH's.....but two lemanarc III reflectors with 2x14k phonix bulbs will look very nice alone. What were you using for t5's bulbwise and fixture/retro wise?

Reefbox · 07/28/2007, 06:45 PM

I've been studying mh setups and im going with one on my 125g tank. I'll b using 2 250 w mh (lumenarc SE reflectors, icecap ballasts, 10000 xm bulbs for growth. maybe add a t5 for dust dawn lighting. my biggest decision was to go single ended vs doubled ended bulbs.

SpareParts · 07/28/2007, 06:50 PM

Brian - hope you don't mind me piggybacking on your thread, but I've got a similar question. I just bought a 150 gallon tank (48" x 24"D 31" H). I want to do the whole nine yards with this tank - reef/SPS, clams, LPS, etc. And will likely add a coupla tangs at some point. I don't have a canopy so - I'm looking for the experts to tell me what kind of light setup I need to have. Should I do 2x 250w MH w/2 T5 actinics? Should I use pendant fixtures? Leave it open-top, or get a canopy? In short - what all do I need to make sure my desired setup stays healthy?

Had someone give me advice to DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME! So, I'm turning to the experts!

luke33 · 07/28/2007, 08:49 PM

IMHO, for a 125g tank(6'), if you want to keep anything anywhere you can do with T5's or MH's. You can stager 6x60" t5's or get 3x250w SE or DE mh's.

Reefbox, the 10kxm bulbs are very yellow, i couldn't stand them.

luke33 · 07/28/2007, 08:55 PM

Spareparts, your lookin at 31" deep - 3inch sand bed(maybe) + 8" above the water so a total of 36" to the sandbed. I would personally go with a 2x400w MH setup for that size of tank. You could supplement t5's or vho's. I'd go with 2x48" t5's with 2xati blue plus, or one blue plus and one fiji purple.

Would 250w work, sure, but 400's would work much better and penetrate much better and allow you with more play room and growth.

Dorado13 · 07/29/2007, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by luke33
T5's have way more color options than MH's.....but two lemanarc III reflectors with 2x14k phonix bulbs will look very nice alone. What were you using for t5's bulbwise and fixture/retro wise?

I'm sorry I didn't clarify, I meant to say that my corals aren't coloring up the way I would like them. I have tried all different types of bulb combinations but haven't been satisfied. I'm using a 6 bulb retrofit, with icecap ballasts and SLR reflectors and my current bulb configuration is 2xblueplus, 2 aquablue special, 1xsuperactinic and 1xaquablue plus

RichConley · 07/29/2007, 01:20 PM

why not just feed more, or get more fish? That'll cause acros to have deeper colors.

07/28/2007, 05:31 PM	#1
Dorado13 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Placentia, CA Posts: 421	switching from t-5 to halides, need some suggestions I initially went with t-5s over halides to save on energy costs and heat production, but I am not terribly pleased with the colors I am getting from T-5s. The t-5s also produce a healthy amount of heat and i'm really not saving that much on energy. I've decided that I want to get some deeper colors, so i'm going to switch to 2x250w halides. I don't know much about halides but I've heard good things about lumenarc III reflectors and icecap ballasts. I'd like to get some suggestions on reflectors, ballasts and bulbs. My tank is a 120g 4'x2'x2' with mostly SPS. thanks for the help.

07/28/2007, 06:45 PM	#3
Reefbox Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 1,045	I've been studying mh setups and im going with one on my 125g tank. I'll b using 2 250 w mh (lumenarc SE reflectors, icecap ballasts, 10000 xm bulbs for growth. maybe add a t5 for dust dawn lighting. my biggest decision was to go single ended vs doubled ended bulbs. __________________ Jason

07/29/2007, 01:20 PM	#8
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	why not just feed more, or get more fish? That'll cause acros to have deeper colors. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

07/28/2007, 06:36 PM	#2
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	T5's have way more color options than MH's.....but two lemanarc III reflectors with 2x14k phonix bulbs will look very nice alone. What were you using for t5's bulbwise and fixture/retro wise?

07/28/2007, 06:50 PM	#4
SpareParts Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 112	Brian - hope you don't mind me piggybacking on your thread, but I've got a similar question. I just bought a 150 gallon tank (48" x 24"D 31" H). I want to do the whole nine yards with this tank - reef/SPS, clams, LPS, etc. And will likely add a coupla tangs at some point. I don't have a canopy so - I'm looking for the experts to tell me what kind of light setup I need to have. Should I do 2x 250w MH w/2 T5 actinics? Should I use pendant fixtures? Leave it open-top, or get a canopy? In short - what all do I need to make sure my desired setup stays healthy? Had someone give me advice to DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME! So, I'm turning to the experts!

07/28/2007, 08:49 PM	#5
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	IMHO, for a 125g tank(6'), if you want to keep anything anywhere you can do with T5's or MH's. You can stager 6x60" t5's or get 3x250w SE or DE mh's. Reefbox, the 10kxm bulbs are very yellow, i couldn't stand them.

07/28/2007, 08:55 PM	#6
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	Spareparts, your lookin at 31" deep - 3inch sand bed(maybe) + 8" above the water so a total of 36" to the sandbed. I would personally go with a 2x400w MH setup for that size of tank. You could supplement t5's or vho's. I'd go with 2x48" t5's with 2xati blue plus, or one blue plus and one fiji purple. Would 250w work, sure, but 400's would work much better and penetrate much better and allow you with more play room and growth.