MH vs T5

Enigma445 · 07/05/2008, 04:32 PM

I was wondering what is the better lighting. I am going to get a 135Gal and am going to make it a reef tank. I am not sure what lightning would be best. I am prob going to keep everything SPS LPS Softies. Any suggestions and pics are appreciated. Thanks in Adavance

jpitts101 · 07/05/2008, 05:59 PM

You can go either way. Both will do a good job, it all depends on what you like and are more comfortable with. I have 12 T-5's on my 180. Its a 30 inch tall tank with mainly sps.

hwttdz · 07/05/2008, 06:41 PM

Can somone comment on the heat output of T5s?

It seems that because t5's put out more light per watt, if the light is in the right part of the spectrum, you should be able to get away with fewer watts per gallon at the same level of light. Additionally, if my expectation that they generate less heat is correct, you will avoid trouble keeping the temperature of your tank low and save money on heating costs as well.

On the other hand I think the shimmering effect of metal halides is gorgeous. Although I think just a few high output leds added to a t5 fixture could possibly create a similar effect.

jpitts101 · 07/05/2008, 06:48 PM

I run 12 retro fitted on my 180 with little heat. I dont have to run a chiller, actually I have 2 heaters in my sump. I get 5x the heat out of my 150 watt viper on my nano than i do my 180.

qfrisco · 07/05/2008, 09:32 PM

I agree with jpitts101 - either will do fine for you. The T5s might be a little bit more fickle in that your selection of reflectors will affect just how good the lights will be. But with the numerous options for bulb colors, you can tweak your tank's color to your heart's content!

I had overdriven T5s with Icecap SLR reflectors over my 90g, and I loved the color. All my SPS had great color and growth. But the lack of the shimmer eventually made me move to MHs. The tank, to me, just looks more natural with that shimmer.

IslandCrow · 07/05/2008, 10:34 PM

You won't get any definitive answers on whether T-5 or MH is better. I don't think anyone really knows. Sanjay Joshi is planning an in-depth comparison of the two lighting systems, but I don't think he's had much time to make a lot (if any) progress on that. I'm a T-5 man, but for the exact opposite reason that many people move away from T-5s. I don't really like the shimmer. I like the very clean look of fluorescent lighting. I'm just weird like that.

As far as heat goes, I'm running about 160W of T-5 lighting over my tank. I think an equivalent amount of MH would be at a minimum two 175W bulbs. Per watt, fluorescent and MH lighting put out about the same amount of heat. I'm not necessarily saying how much of that heat gets transferred to the tank, but given a fixed amount of electricity sent to each type of bulb, they both convert a similar percentage of that energy to heat. Given that, you're going to produce less heat and use less energy with T-5s.

Enigma445 · 07/05/2008, 10:41 PM

Ok thanks for the advise

07/05/2008, 04:32 PM	#1
Enigma445 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Homer Glen Posts: 9	MH vs T5 I was wondering what is the better lighting. I am going to get a 135Gal and am going to make it a reef tank. I am not sure what lightning would be best. I am prob going to keep everything SPS LPS Softies. Any suggestions and pics are appreciated. Thanks in Adavance

07/05/2008, 05:59 PM	#2
jpitts101 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ardmore Posts: 1,176	You can go either way. Both will do a good job, it all depends on what you like and are more comfortable with. I have 12 T-5's on my 180. Its a 30 inch tall tank with mainly sps. __________________ J.D. Pitts when in doubt pull it out!!!! Current Tank Info: 180 sps dominant

07/05/2008, 06:48 PM	#4
jpitts101 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ardmore Posts: 1,176	I run 12 retro fitted on my 180 with little heat. I dont have to run a chiller, actually I have 2 heaters in my sump. I get 5x the heat out of my 150 watt viper on my nano than i do my 180. __________________ J.D. Pitts when in doubt pull it out!!!! Current Tank Info: 180 sps dominant

07/05/2008, 10:34 PM	#6
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	You won't get any definitive answers on whether T-5 or MH is better. I don't think anyone really knows. Sanjay Joshi is planning an in-depth comparison of the two lighting systems, but I don't think he's had much time to make a lot (if any) progress on that. I'm a T-5 man, but for the exact opposite reason that many people move away from T-5s. I don't really like the shimmer. I like the very clean look of fluorescent lighting. I'm just weird like that. As far as heat goes, I'm running about 160W of T-5 lighting over my tank. I think an equivalent amount of MH would be at a minimum two 175W bulbs. Per watt, fluorescent and MH lighting put out about the same amount of heat. I'm not necessarily saying how much of that heat gets transferred to the tank, but given a fixed amount of electricity sent to each type of bulb, they both convert a similar percentage of that energy to heat. Given that, you're going to produce less heat and use less energy with T-5s. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

07/05/2008, 06:41 PM	#3
hwttdz Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NY, NY Posts: 105	Can somone comment on the heat output of T5s? It seems that because t5's put out more light per watt, if the light is in the right part of the spectrum, you should be able to get away with fewer watts per gallon at the same level of light. Additionally, if my expectation that they generate less heat is correct, you will avoid trouble keeping the temperature of your tank low and save money on heating costs as well. On the other hand I think the shimmering effect of metal halides is gorgeous. Although I think just a few high output leds added to a t5 fixture could possibly create a similar effect.

07/05/2008, 09:32 PM	#5
qfrisco Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Area Posts: 1,389	I agree with jpitts101 - either will do fine for you. The T5s might be a little bit more fickle in that your selection of reflectors will affect just how good the lights will be. But with the numerous options for bulb colors, you can tweak your tank's color to your heart's content! I had overdriven T5s with Icecap SLR reflectors over my 90g, and I loved the color. All my SPS had great color and growth. But the lack of the shimmer eventually made me move to MHs. The tank, to me, just looks more natural with that shimmer.

07/05/2008, 10:41 PM	#7
Enigma445 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Homer Glen Posts: 9	Ok thanks for the advise