current outer orbit mh/pcs vs. outer orbtit mh/t5s

vangoghfish · 05/20/2009, 01:38 PM

Wanted some input on preferences to the current outer orbit fixtures, with 150 watt mh, and 4 x 96 watt pcs, vs. with the current outer orbit 150 mh with 8x 39w t5s.
Can you get the same color bulbs for the pcs as you can for the t5?
Also would the PCs get hotter than the T5s?
Please give me your opinions.

Entropy · 05/20/2009, 02:36 PM

IMO you are better off with the t5's. They have a broader selection of brands and colors. I would guess in a fixture like the orbit, heat would be similar, but the T5's should be brighter (even if the reflectors are not that great)

vangoghfish · 05/20/2009, 02:38 PM

Thanks, that is what I was leaning towards, curious to see some other opinions thanks.

THE ROOK · 05/20/2009, 04:18 PM

Go with the T-5's. Just bought one myself. You'll be able to swap out a couple of the actinic t-5's to get even better color/growth from your tank.

tufacody · 05/20/2009, 05:09 PM

I have the 250 watt version. Say what you will about the reflector, but the thing is incredibly bright.

vangoghfish · 05/20/2009, 06:25 PM

tafucody, do you the pcs or t5 with the 250s, what length?

Guygettnby · 05/20/2009, 06:43 PM

go with the T5 version hands down winner there. i had the PC version and i ripped the PC assembally out in favor of a t5 retro in its place. i have never been happier since i did it. everything in my tank pops and the growth is so much better. the selection of bulbs is reason enough the go T5 but if you need more reasons then there is a long list.

1: better bulb selection
2: less heat
3: better par
4: better growth
5: better color
6: less expensive to run ( this is based on my electric bill when i swithed)

need i say more.... i am sure the are more reasons out there but that is just a few.

vangoghfish · 05/20/2009, 06:50 PM

Thanks Guygettnby, what are your thoughts on no mh at all, all t5s, such as the nova extreme pro, I am talking about the 72", with 12 39w t5s, or the Constellation Series Aquactinics 72" 14 lamp T5 fixture?

THE ROOK · 05/20/2009, 07:16 PM

I run 700 watts over my tank. I could have lit my tank for 324 watts of SLR T-5's & still kept just about any type of coral. That's a pretty big electrical savings. Damn impulse buys.

vangoghfish · 05/20/2009, 07:19 PM

so you are leaning towards using all t5s, in your opinion?

Guygettnby · 05/20/2009, 07:38 PM

i personally love MH lights. but there are many advantages to only running T5 lighting as well. honestly i dont ever see myself NOT using MH lights on my tanks. there is nothing wrong with only T5 lights though. i had considered that myself and if it were not for me getting a killer deal on this light i might have gone all t5's. the only real help i could give you if you decide to run only T5 lights is to buy a good quality fixture with individual reflectors and make sure the fixture has 2 sets of switches so you can run atinic only or daylight only.

so basicly if you go with a MH fixture i would go for MH and T5 over PC anyday of the week. if you go all T5 wich is still a great setup, make sure to spend the money were it is needed and get a good quality fixture with individual reflectors.

jhoff · 05/20/2009, 07:57 PM

All T5 go with an ATI
MH + T5 go with new hamilton tech belize sun

herozero · 05/20/2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tufacody
I have the 250 watt version. Say what you will about the reflector, but the thing is incredibly bright.

If you had the stock 10k light, that's why it is bright! I swapped it for a 14k phoenix, much nicer on the eyes IMO.

vangoghfish · 05/20/2009, 09:43 PM

OK, I need some other opinions, which fixture, would all of you say is better, the current nova 72" Nova extreme pro, with 12 39w t5s, or the Constellation Series Aquactinics 72" with 1439w T5s fixture

vangoghfish · 05/20/2009, 10:16 PM

the aquactinics has 14 x 39w t5s

tufacody · 05/20/2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by herozero
If you had the stock 10k light, that's why it is bright! I swapped it for a 14k phoenix, much nicer on the eyes IMO.

I've had two outer orbits. The first came with a very yellow halide. The one I have now is a very nice blue-white. Both were stock bulbs, so go figure. This is a newly set up tank with Marco, but I think the white rock does a good job illustratrating that this current bulb has little yellow to it. Frankly, I love it:

BTW, the picture is very representative of how the tank really looks.

vangoghfish · 05/20/2009, 10:59 PM

nice, nothing like a new clean sand bed, huh?

tufacody · 05/20/2009, 11:05 PM

you got that right! Tank was just set up over the weekend. I know it will purple up in no time, but I have to admit a part of me wishes it would stay just like this, lol.

gladiator_sgi · 05/21/2009, 05:45 PM

I am also in the debate over ATI T5 8 bulb or Current Outer Orbit MH/T5 for my 75g tank. They are close in price, but Current comes with 18 lunar lights, which is kind of nice since I stay up late studying. How ever I think I can get away with having no chiller with the ATI setup, less power used, less noise (factoring in the chiller), and more bulb flexibility . What do you gays/gals think???

THE ROOK · 05/21/2009, 06:04 PM

I would think a quality 6 bulb T-5 would be enough for a 75. I would like to try one myself.

herozero · 05/21/2009, 06:11 PM

tufacody: very slick look!

tufacody · 05/21/2009, 08:37 PM

Thank you! BTW, the white and blue LEDS on the Current are very attractive.

gladiator_sgi · 05/21/2009, 10:13 PM

well the differance between 6 and 8 bulb is $100 so Im ok with that, plus the more the better, and I think 8 won't be over doing it, idk, what do ya think?

05/20/2009, 01:38 PM	#1
vangoghfish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlantic City Posts: 541	current outer orbit mh/pcs vs. outer orbtit mh/t5s Wanted some input on preferences to the current outer orbit fixtures, with 150 watt mh, and 4 x 96 watt pcs, vs. with the current outer orbit 150 mh with 8x 39w t5s. Can you get the same color bulbs for the pcs as you can for the t5? Also would the PCs get hotter than the T5s? Please give me your opinions.

05/20/2009, 02:36 PM	#2
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	IMO you are better off with the t5's. They have a broader selection of brands and colors. I would guess in a fixture like the orbit, heat would be similar, but the T5's should be brighter (even if the reflectors are not that great) __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

05/21/2009, 05:45 PM	#19
gladiator_sgi Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pittsburg, CA Posts: 231	I am also in the debate over ATI T5 8 bulb or Current Outer Orbit MH/T5 for my 75g tank. They are close in price, but Current comes with 18 lunar lights, which is kind of nice since I stay up late studying. How ever I think I can get away with having no chiller with the ATI setup, less power used, less noise (factoring in the chiller), and more bulb flexibility . What do you gays/gals think??? __________________ - Szczepan

05/21/2009, 10:13 PM	#23
gladiator_sgi Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pittsburg, CA Posts: 231	well the differance between 6 and 8 bulb is $100 so Im ok with that, plus the more the better, and I think 8 won't be over doing it, idk, what do ya think? __________________ - Szczepan

05/20/2009, 02:38 PM	#3
vangoghfish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlantic City Posts: 541	Thanks, that is what I was leaning towards, curious to see some other opinions thanks.

05/20/2009, 04:18 PM	#4
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	Go with the T-5's. Just bought one myself. You'll be able to swap out a couple of the actinic t-5's to get even better color/growth from your tank.

05/20/2009, 05:09 PM	#5
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	I have the 250 watt version. Say what you will about the reflector, but the thing is incredibly bright.

05/20/2009, 06:25 PM	#6
vangoghfish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlantic City Posts: 541	tafucody, do you the pcs or t5 with the 250s, what length?

05/20/2009, 06:43 PM	#7
Guygettnby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: FL Posts: 3,050	go with the T5 version hands down winner there. i had the PC version and i ripped the PC assembally out in favor of a t5 retro in its place. i have never been happier since i did it. everything in my tank pops and the growth is so much better. the selection of bulbs is reason enough the go T5 but if you need more reasons then there is a long list. 1: better bulb selection 2: less heat 3: better par 4: better growth 5: better color 6: less expensive to run ( this is based on my electric bill when i swithed) need i say more.... i am sure the are more reasons out there but that is just a few.

05/20/2009, 06:50 PM	#8
vangoghfish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlantic City Posts: 541	Thanks Guygettnby, what are your thoughts on no mh at all, all t5s, such as the nova extreme pro, I am talking about the 72", with 12 39w t5s, or the Constellation Series Aquactinics 72" 14 lamp T5 fixture?

05/20/2009, 07:16 PM	#9
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	I run 700 watts over my tank. I could have lit my tank for 324 watts of SLR T-5's & still kept just about any type of coral. That's a pretty big electrical savings. Damn impulse buys.

05/20/2009, 07:19 PM	#10
vangoghfish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlantic City Posts: 541	so you are leaning towards using all t5s, in your opinion?

05/20/2009, 07:38 PM	#11
Guygettnby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: FL Posts: 3,050	i personally love MH lights. but there are many advantages to only running T5 lighting as well. honestly i dont ever see myself NOT using MH lights on my tanks. there is nothing wrong with only T5 lights though. i had considered that myself and if it were not for me getting a killer deal on this light i might have gone all t5's. the only real help i could give you if you decide to run only T5 lights is to buy a good quality fixture with individual reflectors and make sure the fixture has 2 sets of switches so you can run atinic only or daylight only. so basicly if you go with a MH fixture i would go for MH and T5 over PC anyday of the week. if you go all T5 wich is still a great setup, make sure to spend the money were it is needed and get a good quality fixture with individual reflectors.

05/20/2009, 07:57 PM	#12
jhoff Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Edison New Jersey Posts: 1,082	All T5 go with an ATI MH + T5 go with new hamilton tech belize sun

05/20/2009, 09:43 PM	#14
vangoghfish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlantic City Posts: 541	OK, I need some other opinions, which fixture, would all of you say is better, the current nova 72" Nova extreme pro, with 12 39w t5s, or the Constellation Series Aquactinics 72" with 1439w T5s fixture

05/20/2009, 10:16 PM	#15
vangoghfish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlantic City Posts: 541	the aquactinics has 14 x 39w t5s

05/20/2009, 10:59 PM	#17
vangoghfish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlantic City Posts: 541	nice, nothing like a new clean sand bed, huh?

05/20/2009, 11:05 PM	#18
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	you got that right! Tank was just set up over the weekend. I know it will purple up in no time, but I have to admit a part of me wishes it would stay just like this, lol.

05/21/2009, 06:04 PM	#20
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	I would think a quality 6 bulb T-5 would be enough for a 75. I would like to try one myself.

05/21/2009, 06:11 PM	#21
herozero Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 717	tufacody: very slick look!

05/21/2009, 08:37 PM	#22
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	Thank you! BTW, the white and blue LEDS on the Current are very attractive.