which light would you choose

jlt232000 · 01/19/2009, 11:23 PM

After doing some searching I have found fixtures that will fit my tank, a 25 gal with an eclipse 2 hood that will take some modifications to fit iether of these 2 fixtures. Would like to be able to keep corals maybe sps or lps and a clam? Length wise i have 24" and 8.5"wide.

1. 24 inch Current USA SunPod 1x150W 14K HQI-MH w/ 12 Lunar Lights $$275
or

2. 24 inch Current USA Nova Extreme 4x24W T5HO $153

The nova extreme will fit in more easily and is a cheaper, so i guess is it worth the extra money for the sunpod?????

Also will one have less heat transffer than the other?

46FiatYamaha · 01/20/2009, 06:53 AM

It's really a matter of personal preference between MH and T5's. They are both good fixtures and would both have enough light, but do you want the shimmer of the MH or the slightly cooler running T5's. Also, the MH will be more like a spotlight, with the light concentrated towards the center with more shadows and perception of depth, and the T5's will be a more even coverage with more color options since you have multiple bulbs. I personally like MH since it looks so natural, but neither one is a bad choice.

nativecracker32 · 01/20/2009, 08:47 AM

I personaly like the options that T5's give you. But the shimmer is nice as well. I have heard of people useing leds with the T5's and recreating some of the shimmer effect but have never seen it in person. Both opptions are good. What you plain to keep in this tank could be the deal breaker for one or the other.

Garage1217 · 01/20/2009, 09:16 AM

How tall is the tank?

01/19/2009, 11:23 PM	#1
jlt232000 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 82	which light would you choose After doing some searching I have found fixtures that will fit my tank, a 25 gal with an eclipse 2 hood that will take some modifications to fit iether of these 2 fixtures. Would like to be able to keep corals maybe sps or lps and a clam? Length wise i have 24" and 8.5"wide. 1. 24 inch Current USA SunPod 1x150W 14K HQI-MH w/ 12 Lunar Lights $$275 or 2. 24 inch Current USA Nova Extreme 4x24W T5HO $153 The nova extreme will fit in more easily and is a cheaper, so i guess is it worth the extra money for the sunpod????? Also will one have less heat transffer than the other?

01/20/2009, 08:47 AM	#3
nativecracker32 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: north fort myers Posts: 80	I personaly like the options that T5's give you. But the shimmer is nice as well. I have heard of people useing leds with the T5's and recreating some of the shimmer effect but have never seen it in person. Both opptions are good. What you plain to keep in this tank could be the deal breaker for one or the other. __________________ reefin ant easy! Current Tank Info: 265 reef tank

01/20/2009, 09:16 AM	#4
Garage1217 GET OFF MY LAWN Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Globally Posts: 5,863	How tall is the tank? __________________ No great genius has ever existed without some touch of madness ~ Aristotle If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it? ~ Albert Einstein I'm just as bent as ever. Hellishly so ~ Captain Jack Sparrow Current Tank Info: Systems and goodies by Lee-Mar / Coralvue / Neptune Systems / Jager / Spectrapure / Cree / Meanwell + more!

01/20/2009, 06:53 AM	#2
46FiatYamaha Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Matthews NC Posts: 990	It's really a matter of personal preference between MH and T5's. They are both good fixtures and would both have enough light, but do you want the shimmer of the MH or the slightly cooler running T5's. Also, the MH will be more like a spotlight, with the light concentrated towards the center with more shadows and perception of depth, and the T5's will be a more even coverage with more color options since you have multiple bulbs. I personally like MH since it looks so natural, but neither one is a bad choice.