Tek 6 bulb T5 or 175w MH for a 120g

DamnPepShrimp · 09/01/2009, 09:57 AM

I am considering converting my reef to SPS, guess I'd move my softies/LPS to another tank or sell them. I currently have a 48" tek 6 bulb T5 setup over my 120g (4x2x2) with upgraded bulbs, but it is time to replace them. I am considering going MH, looking at dual 175w iwaski's, don't know what kind of reflector or actinic supplemation though. My T5s are currently very high above the tank since its just softies/LPS. I could lower it to where its several inches off the surface, might want to put some acrylic lids over the tank to prevent splash/salt creep on the lights, I know this blocks light but it will save the light and I have proper gas exchange thru my sump/skimmer. I would get all new bulbs, or should I just go MH? I don't want to go any higher then 175w do to electrical costs and heat output.

So what would be better, keep my tek and get new bulbs or go 175w MH with iwaski bulbs and some sort of cheap actinic supplemation? TIA.

Anemone0524 · 09/01/2009, 10:02 AM

Keep the T-5's. I have a 6 bulb T-5 fixture as well, and my sps are doing well.

I don't think there's any question though that given the right MH, you will get more growth. I just don't think it's worth the extra cost. Especially in your case, you already own the T-5 lighting.

Plus many reefers prefer the color control you get with T-5 lighting.

PrangeWay · 09/01/2009, 10:23 AM

I personally (in my 120) went with the 6 t5's. You aren't getting anymore par out of 2 175's than you do out of 6 t5's. Plus you'd still have to supplement the MH's. Unless I was going to go 250's or 400's (which my softied would NOT like) t5's simply the best bang for buck/par in a 4' tank.

PW

DamnPepShrimp · 09/01/2009, 10:36 AM

Very good points. I love the shimmer of MH and if I were to get a huge difference over T5s, I'd do it. I am really worried about depth, being a 24" tank, how low my T5s would go compared to 175w MH. Growth is a factor, but I care a lot about color as well. Guess I can get new bulbs and see how it goes, if I don't like it, I can switch to MH.

rtparty · 09/01/2009, 10:49 AM

You will be better off with the T5's. Better color and better growth.

I don't know where people got the crazy idea that you get better growth with MH. MH is a single point light source. It creates a lot of shadows and that blocks light from the entire coral. With T5, the light hits a lot more tissue and gives you better growth.

I have a buddy that has a 125 and switched to all T5's from 250W MH. He has much better color and his growth is double what it was with halides. He also gets a shimmer with his T5. Just have a lot of surface agitation. He is keeping SPS on his sand bed with the TEK fixtures he has. They are 24" below the lights.

Try out this combo of bulbs:

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

You could throw an ATI Aquablue in place of one of the Blue Pluses if you want a brighter 14k look.

DamnPepShrimp · 09/01/2009, 10:53 AM

Sounds good! I will definitely be ordering new bulbs then. I can't remember what exactly I have for bulbs (been about a year now!) but I know I have a 10k in for growth, I have a 6500 laying around though. I'd like a crispy blue/white color, if anything, leaning more towards blue. I hate yellow/washed out looks.

rtparty · 09/01/2009, 10:56 AM

Go with what I recommended and order an Aquablue just in case. If you don't like the original color you can also put the Aquablue in place of the GE 6500K.

bexi20 · 09/01/2009, 02:55 PM

Shimmer with T5, this is new

AudioAdict · 09/01/2009, 03:30 PM

I have a little shimmer with my T5s too. Like he said, lots of surface agitation and it's possible.

Stick with your T5s.

09/01/2009, 09:57 AM	#1
DamnPepShrimp Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 5,152	Tek 6 bulb T5 or 175w MH for a 120g I am considering converting my reef to SPS, guess I'd move my softies/LPS to another tank or sell them. I currently have a 48" tek 6 bulb T5 setup over my 120g (4x2x2) with upgraded bulbs, but it is time to replace them. I am considering going MH, looking at dual 175w iwaski's, don't know what kind of reflector or actinic supplemation though. My T5s are currently very high above the tank since its just softies/LPS. I could lower it to where its several inches off the surface, might want to put some acrylic lids over the tank to prevent splash/salt creep on the lights, I know this blocks light but it will save the light and I have proper gas exchange thru my sump/skimmer. I would get all new bulbs, or should I just go MH? I don't want to go any higher then 175w do to electrical costs and heat output. So what would be better, keep my tek and get new bulbs or go 175w MH with iwaski bulbs and some sort of cheap actinic supplemation? TIA.

09/01/2009, 10:02 AM	#2
Anemone0524 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NoVA Posts: 434	Keep the T-5's. I have a 6 bulb T-5 fixture as well, and my sps are doing well. I don't think there's any question though that given the right MH, you will get more growth. I just don't think it's worth the extra cost. Especially in your case, you already own the T-5 lighting. Plus many reefers prefer the color control you get with T-5 lighting. __________________ Aaron 150g rimless 60x30x20, ATI Sunpower x8, 2 48" Reefbrite Blue LED, MSX 200, Vortech MP40w x 2, BRS CA/ALK Dosers, Biopellets and GFO

09/01/2009, 10:23 AM	#3
PrangeWay Duke of Monte Fisto Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 722	I personally (in my 120) went with the 6 t5's. You aren't getting anymore par out of 2 175's than you do out of 6 t5's. Plus you'd still have to supplement the MH's. Unless I was going to go 250's or 400's (which my softied would NOT like) t5's simply the best bang for buck/par in a 4' tank. PW __________________ Dumbest Quotes Ever..... "Great color, great growth" closely followed by "all water parameters fine"

09/01/2009, 10:49 AM	#5
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	You will be better off with the T5's. Better color and better growth. I don't know where people got the crazy idea that you get better growth with MH. MH is a single point light source. It creates a lot of shadows and that blocks light from the entire coral. With T5, the light hits a lot more tissue and gives you better growth. I have a buddy that has a 125 and switched to all T5's from 250W MH. He has much better color and his growth is double what it was with halides. He also gets a shimmer with his T5. Just have a lot of surface agitation. He is keeping SPS on his sand bed with the TEK fixtures he has. They are 24" below the lights. Try out this combo of bulbs: ATI Blue Plus KZ Fiji Purple ATI Blue Plus GE 6500K ATI Blue Plus ATI Blue Plus You could throw an ATI Aquablue in place of one of the Blue Pluses if you want a brighter 14k look. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

09/01/2009, 10:56 AM	#7
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	Go with what I recommended and order an Aquablue just in case. If you don't like the original color you can also put the Aquablue in place of the GE 6500K. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

09/01/2009, 10:36 AM	#4
DamnPepShrimp Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 5,152	Very good points. I love the shimmer of MH and if I were to get a huge difference over T5s, I'd do it. I am really worried about depth, being a 24" tank, how low my T5s would go compared to 175w MH. Growth is a factor, but I care a lot about color as well. Guess I can get new bulbs and see how it goes, if I don't like it, I can switch to MH.

09/01/2009, 10:53 AM	#6
DamnPepShrimp Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 5,152	Sounds good! I will definitely be ordering new bulbs then. I can't remember what exactly I have for bulbs (been about a year now!) but I know I have a 10k in for growth, I have a 6500 laying around though. I'd like a crispy blue/white color, if anything, leaning more towards blue. I hate yellow/washed out looks.

09/01/2009, 02:55 PM	#8
bexi20 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 82	Shimmer with T5, this is new

09/01/2009, 03:30 PM	#9
AudioAdict Moved On Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The crab nebula Posts: 237	I have a little shimmer with my T5s too. Like he said, lots of surface agitation and it's possible. Stick with your T5s.