T-5 vs. MH from current USA

daveonbass · 04/14/2008, 01:30 AM

I am torn between the Nova Extreme Pro, and the Outer Orbit Pro.

The T-5 seems very reasonable to me. The price is right and it comes with 6 bulbs. Runs cooler than MH. Plus I can always buy better bulbs from what I hear.

But I am used to MH fixtures. And the Outer Orbit Pro has TWO MH plus the T-5's for actinics. Runs Hotter than just T-5's. The price is MUCH higher, but I don't know if it's worth it.

It's for a 36x18x24H tank...about 67-68g Reef Ready tank. I want to maybe have Clams again...and maybe try more SPS. But so far I can only assume that I haven't had enough light. (bad luck with them) And I'm not used to judgeing how much T-5 light is enough. Also I'm on more of a budget now than I was when I started this hobby. But this is for an upgrade from a 37 gallon tank to the new one. I would like to get teh right thing the first time...but I'm not sure if I can afford the MH, and I don't know if the T-5 (this brand) will be enough light for what I will be moving over.

Currently I have a 24" Aqualight Pro, that has been providing me good growth to most of my corals. (no complaints from me) And the Mh was replaced with a 20K (after a 14K) and so far I'm pleased. But the tank needs an upgrade. this was my first SW endevor...and now I know that getting the right thing the first time really does save money in the long run. But I don't know if the 36" T-5 will be anthing like the 24" 150w MH that I'm used to.

I need some input from others that May be using these fixtures, or preferably from people that have switched from one to the other.

Any help will of course be appreciated.

dave

eddnyster · 04/14/2008, 02:18 AM

You should check out the T-5 Question & Answer forum. Read through the "millions" of pages of info. Well it's not a million but there are a couple hundred.
As far as T-5 go, they have the edge over metal halides. You get more flexibility in coloration, less energy consumption, longer life. The light output on T5 is higher if you get a fixture that has INDIVIDUAL reflectors and from a good manufacturer. Some that are highly recommended are Tek, ATI Powermodule, Aquactinics. It really all depends on what you want to keep in your tank. If you don't want to limit yourself and keep your options open, from what I've read that the Aquactinics Constellation 7 lap fixture is capable of housing even the most light demanding SPS corals.
The price tag is pretty hefty but it's saves you a lot on the electric bill vs using MH, and each bulb will run you about 20 bucks vs $80 for a MH bulb. I think the ONLY drawback that I see with the T5 is that the shimmering effect you get with MH is absent. Other than that I don't see any other drawback. I'll be getting my Aquactinics Constellation very soon withing the next 2 months. Again, i highly advise you to read the T5 threads, and view Grim Reefer's comments and suggestions.

daveonbass · 04/14/2008, 04:10 AM

yeah I have been, and I have NOW started thinking of T-5's...where as before I was set on MH. I didn't realize that the bulbs were so much cheaper. Nice! And yeah that's a LOT of reading...I got through about 10 pages and was worn out.

Thanks for the advice...I'll check out those models...

any more opinions....?

dave

eddnyster · 04/14/2008, 02:32 PM

As far as manufacturer's go I wouldn't know. I'm probably as new to T5s as you are. I do know however that the Nova Extreme Pro from current USA, though highly reputable, just doesn't pack the necessary punch to house high light demanding SPS.

Oh, make sure you also get reputable light bulbs for your fixture. ATI, Giesemann, and UVL are also highly recommended. ReefGeek is a great site to find more info on T5s. They have great customer service from what I hear. I'll let you know when I give them a call in 2 months!

Have fun with the T5 reading! LOL!

Eklikewhoa · 04/14/2008, 02:33 PM

I picked the Orbit MH+T5 set up.

It's not the same without the shimmer....

Forgot to add....Drsfostersmith.com is having a sale on that orbit light fixture....I bought mine this weekend and it was like $110 off the normal price online.

daveonbass · 04/15/2008, 12:10 AM

yeah I saw the sale...that's what prompted me to think quickly. I'm just so tired of the energy consumption from the MH.

I'm also worried that the Nova fixture doesn't have enough "punch" in it. And ironically I ran this thread by my wife and she is all excited about the ATI powermodule. So I think we're going to eventually get that. All I had to say was it was "quiet" and she was sold. The price tag is more than the Sale at DFS for the Mh that I wanted (36" 2x250). So we're going to save up I guess...but For now I may just get the nova extreme pro for something that I can use to get eth ball rolling on this tank that I'm trying to set up. Either way...I'm excited about the t-5's and hope that they are all that people make them out to be.

wish me luck and any new info is greatly appreciated.

(and donations are always welcome too...haha)

dave

eddnyster · 04/15/2008, 10:17 AM

If you're gonna go with the Nova Extreme, you can make it work by switching out the bulbs and using different ones that are NOT from Current. You'll have more intense light...not mega amounts more but enough to get you by with SPS higher up on the rocks.

Again...info from reading page number 1gazillion on the T5 thread posted by Grim!

04/14/2008, 01:30 AM	#1
daveonbass Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: texarkana, TX Posts: 1,364	T-5 vs. MH from current USA I am torn between the Nova Extreme Pro, and the Outer Orbit Pro. The T-5 seems very reasonable to me. The price is right and it comes with 6 bulbs. Runs cooler than MH. Plus I can always buy better bulbs from what I hear. But I am used to MH fixtures. And the Outer Orbit Pro has TWO MH plus the T-5's for actinics. Runs Hotter than just T-5's. The price is MUCH higher, but I don't know if it's worth it. It's for a 36x18x24H tank...about 67-68g Reef Ready tank. I want to maybe have Clams again...and maybe try more SPS. But so far I can only assume that I haven't had enough light. (bad luck with them) And I'm not used to judgeing how much T-5 light is enough. Also I'm on more of a budget now than I was when I started this hobby. But this is for an upgrade from a 37 gallon tank to the new one. I would like to get teh right thing the first time...but I'm not sure if I can afford the MH, and I don't know if the T-5 (this brand) will be enough light for what I will be moving over. Currently I have a 24" Aqualight Pro, that has been providing me good growth to most of my corals. (no complaints from me) And the Mh was replaced with a 20K (after a 14K) and so far I'm pleased. But the tank needs an upgrade. this was my first SW endevor...and now I know that getting the right thing the first time really does save money in the long run. But I don't know if the 36" T-5 will be anthing like the 24" 150w MH that I'm used to. I need some input from others that May be using these fixtures, or preferably from people that have switched from one to the other. Any help will of course be appreciated. dave __________________ dave Current Tank Info: 58g reef, 60 total gallons including rocks and sand, 36" 6 bulb ATI Powermodule, DAS skimmer, Bio pellets, 2 MP10 vortechs

04/14/2008, 04:10 AM	#3
daveonbass Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: texarkana, TX Posts: 1,364	yeah I have been, and I have NOW started thinking of T-5's...where as before I was set on MH. I didn't realize that the bulbs were so much cheaper. Nice! And yeah that's a LOT of reading...I got through about 10 pages and was worn out. Thanks for the advice...I'll check out those models... any more opinions....? dave __________________ dave Current Tank Info: 58g reef, 60 total gallons including rocks and sand, 36" 6 bulb ATI Powermodule, DAS skimmer, Bio pellets, 2 MP10 vortechs

04/15/2008, 12:10 AM	#6
daveonbass Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: texarkana, TX Posts: 1,364	yeah I saw the sale...that's what prompted me to think quickly. I'm just so tired of the energy consumption from the MH. I'm also worried that the Nova fixture doesn't have enough "punch" in it. And ironically I ran this thread by my wife and she is all excited about the ATI powermodule. So I think we're going to eventually get that. All I had to say was it was "quiet" and she was sold. The price tag is more than the Sale at DFS for the Mh that I wanted (36" 2x250). So we're going to save up I guess...but For now I may just get the nova extreme pro for something that I can use to get eth ball rolling on this tank that I'm trying to set up. Either way...I'm excited about the t-5's and hope that they are all that people make them out to be. wish me luck and any new info is greatly appreciated. (and donations are always welcome too...haha) dave __________________ dave Current Tank Info: 58g reef, 60 total gallons including rocks and sand, 36" 6 bulb ATI Powermodule, DAS skimmer, Bio pellets, 2 MP10 vortechs

04/14/2008, 02:18 AM	#2
eddnyster Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Whitter, CA Posts: 275	You should check out the T-5 Question & Answer forum. Read through the "millions" of pages of info. Well it's not a million but there are a couple hundred. As far as T-5 go, they have the edge over metal halides. You get more flexibility in coloration, less energy consumption, longer life. The light output on T5 is higher if you get a fixture that has INDIVIDUAL reflectors and from a good manufacturer. Some that are highly recommended are Tek, ATI Powermodule, Aquactinics. It really all depends on what you want to keep in your tank. If you don't want to limit yourself and keep your options open, from what I've read that the Aquactinics Constellation 7 lap fixture is capable of housing even the most light demanding SPS corals. The price tag is pretty hefty but it's saves you a lot on the electric bill vs using MH, and each bulb will run you about 20 bucks vs $80 for a MH bulb. I think the ONLY drawback that I see with the T5 is that the shimmering effect you get with MH is absent. Other than that I don't see any other drawback. I'll be getting my Aquactinics Constellation very soon withing the next 2 months. Again, i highly advise you to read the T5 threads, and view Grim Reefer's comments and suggestions.

04/14/2008, 02:32 PM	#4
eddnyster Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Whitter, CA Posts: 275	As far as manufacturer's go I wouldn't know. I'm probably as new to T5s as you are. I do know however that the Nova Extreme Pro from current USA, though highly reputable, just doesn't pack the necessary punch to house high light demanding SPS. Oh, make sure you also get reputable light bulbs for your fixture. ATI, Giesemann, and UVL are also highly recommended. ReefGeek is a great site to find more info on T5s. They have great customer service from what I hear. I'll let you know when I give them a call in 2 months! Have fun with the T5 reading! LOL!

04/14/2008, 02:33 PM	#5
Eklikewhoa Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Above water Posts: 1,442	I picked the Orbit MH+T5 set up. It's not the same without the shimmer.... Forgot to add....Drsfostersmith.com is having a sale on that orbit light fixture....I bought mine this weekend and it was like $110 off the normal price online.

04/15/2008, 10:17 AM	#7
eddnyster Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Whitter, CA Posts: 275	If you're gonna go with the Nova Extreme, you can make it work by switching out the bulbs and using different ones that are NOT from Current. You'll have more intense light...not mega amounts more but enough to get you by with SPS higher up on the rocks. Again...info from reading page number 1gazillion on the T5 thread posted by Grim!