Should I switch to T-5 lighting?

kev apsley · 01/14/2009, 05:23 AM

Should I swap out my 1x250w DE 20K Helios light fixture for a T-5 fixture, I have some SPS but mainly LPS on the bottom of the tank. For everything I have seen and heard T-5's bring out the best colors.

kev apsley · 01/14/2009, 08:28 AM

^

kev apsley · 01/14/2009, 10:56 AM

So far T-5's are ruling the day, hmmm now I'm really starting to think??

GSMguy · 01/14/2009, 12:31 PM

Can't get a single halide with a spectum as diverse as an array of T5s, the t5 possibilities are endless.

kev apsley · 01/14/2009, 01:45 PM

Thanks nick! I really am startin g to sway

seagirl · 01/14/2009, 01:55 PM

i went from t5's back to mh, but heat is not an issue for me. I like the mh's better, but nothing bad to say about T5's. If heat is a problem with your mh's get the T5's, if not wait till you upgrade. Just my $.02

kev apsley · 01/14/2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by seagirl
i went from t5's back to mh, but heat is not an issue for me. I like the mh's better, but nothing bad to say about T5's. If heat is a problem with your mh's get the T5's, if not wait till you upgrade. Just my $.02

Thanks for the info!

aquaman67 · 01/14/2009, 04:35 PM

I'm upgrading a 29 gallon tank to a 50 gallon Oceanic I got on sale.

While I was upgrading I decided to give T-5s a try.

I'm going from a signle 150w MH to four 24 watt HO t-5's. I got two, two bulb nova extremes on sale at marineandreef.com

I think it's for better color choices and there are shadows on the ends of the tank with a single MH bulb. For me it's just time for something different. Plus not replacing $75 bulbs will be nice...

View Poll Results: Should I switch to T-5 lighting?
No, keep your MH fixture but change to a different bulb	3	7.89%
No, Metal Halides all the way!	8	21.05%
Yes, T-5 gives you the best colors and less heat issues	23	60.53%
Just wait until you upgrade your tank later down the road	4	10.53%
Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll

01/14/2009, 05:23 AM	#1
kev apsley Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: LI, NY Posts: 4,424	Should I switch to T-5 lighting? Should I swap out my 1x250w DE 20K Helios light fixture for a T-5 fixture, I have some SPS but mainly LPS on the bottom of the tank. For everything I have seen and heard T-5's bring out the best colors.

01/14/2009, 12:31 PM	#4
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	Can't get a single halide with a spectum as diverse as an array of T5s, the t5 possibilities are endless. __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

01/14/2009, 08:28 AM	#2
kev apsley Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: LI, NY Posts: 4,424	^

01/14/2009, 10:56 AM	#3
kev apsley Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: LI, NY Posts: 4,424	So far T-5's are ruling the day, hmmm now I'm really starting to think??

01/14/2009, 01:45 PM	#5
kev apsley Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: LI, NY Posts: 4,424	Thanks nick! I really am startin g to sway

01/14/2009, 01:55 PM	#6
seagirl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,130	i went from t5's back to mh, but heat is not an issue for me. I like the mh's better, but nothing bad to say about T5's. If heat is a problem with your mh's get the T5's, if not wait till you upgrade. Just my $.02

01/14/2009, 04:35 PM	#8
aquaman67 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 7,629	I'm upgrading a 29 gallon tank to a 50 gallon Oceanic I got on sale. While I was upgrading I decided to give T-5s a try. I'm going from a signle 150w MH to four 24 watt HO t-5's. I got two, two bulb nova extremes on sale at marineandreef.com I think it's for better color choices and there are shadows on the ends of the tank with a single MH bulb. For me it's just time for something different. Plus not replacing $75 bulbs will be nice...