Need Help on Lights. PC/t5/MH??

jonnySouthFL · 02/18/2007, 10:54 AM

Im working with a 40 gal. 12"(L) X 30"(W) X 22"(H) tank
Current lighting: 2 60w pc, 2 24w t5. Both sit bout 5" from water surface.

I just downgraded from 2 HO t5 to the regular ones, b/c i was told i was cooking my plate corals, fuzzy mushrooms, and brain corals(and yes their color was turning white).
Since the change my Xenias stoped pumping, and my tank just looks danker, but the above metioned corals are returning their color.

Question: im thinking about getting new lights all together. Ive notices all the really nice tanks have MH, but are they really all that? Would a 4 bulb HO t5 setup work just as well? or should i keep my current setup and pray the xenias start puming again?

-- thanks

jonnySouthFL · 02/18/2007, 10:58 AM

forgot to mention the light sechedule is 10/7

RedEyeElf · 02/18/2007, 11:05 AM

depends on what you can afford, MH cost more, with cost of bulbs, electricity, tank crash when you relize you need a chiller, chiller

my next light will be a t5 tek system
stupid halide...

dwdenny · 02/18/2007, 11:10 AM

there has been some issues with brian coral and shrooms with T5 if you want to go this route then you will have to keep them in shaded areas. On my 40g breeder(36"X18"X16") I am going to be using single 175w MH Iwasaki 15kk bulb and 2X39w T5 for actinic supplementation. Just depends on what you want to keep. I love the shimmer that MH gives off but heat is an issue. I will be running 2 possibly 4 4" fans in the canopy and if heat is still an issue then I will run a clip on 6" fan over the sump. Evaporation will be a PITA but I will be able to keep what I want.

02/18/2007, 10:54 AM	#1
jonnySouthFL Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 15	Need Help on Lights. PC/t5/MH?? Im working with a 40 gal. 12"(L) X 30"(W) X 22"(H) tank Current lighting: 2 60w pc, 2 24w t5. Both sit bout 5" from water surface. I just downgraded from 2 HO t5 to the regular ones, b/c i was told i was cooking my plate corals, fuzzy mushrooms, and brain corals(and yes their color was turning white). Since the change my Xenias stoped pumping, and my tank just looks danker, but the above metioned corals are returning their color. Question: im thinking about getting new lights all together. Ive notices all the really nice tanks have MH, but are they really all that? Would a 4 bulb HO t5 setup work just as well? or should i keep my current setup and pray the xenias start puming again? -- thanks

02/18/2007, 11:10 AM	#4
dwdenny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Edinburg, Texas Posts: 1,369	there has been some issues with brian coral and shrooms with T5 if you want to go this route then you will have to keep them in shaded areas. On my 40g breeder(36"X18"X16") I am going to be using single 175w MH Iwasaki 15kk bulb and 2X39w T5 for actinic supplementation. Just depends on what you want to keep. I love the shimmer that MH gives off but heat is an issue. I will be running 2 possibly 4 4" fans in the canopy and if heat is still an issue then I will run a clip on 6" fan over the sump. Evaporation will be a PITA but I will be able to keep what I want. __________________ "Attitude determine altitude" Visit MAAST.org just click the "Red House" Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder in the works

02/18/2007, 10:58 AM	#2
jonnySouthFL Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 15	forgot to mention the light sechedule is 10/7

02/18/2007, 11:05 AM	#3
RedEyeElf Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 462	depends on what you can afford, MH cost more, with cost of bulbs, electricity, tank crash when you relize you need a chiller, chiller my next light will be a t5 tek system stupid halide...