12X80 T5 or 3X400w MH

[Demonic]

Ok so here is the dilemma. I have a 180 now with 9 X 80w T5 with random ATI and KZ bulbs. I love the color and wouldnt change them if I were to stay with my current setup. So the dilemma is, I am purchasing a 270 gallon 72X36X24 and the setup comes with 3 400w MH with sunlight supply ballast on Lumenarc reflectors and an inline fan for ventilation. One IC660 and 2 72" VHO for actinics. Should I keep the 400w MH with the tank, or just buy some more reflectors and keep the 660 and run 12X80w T5. I have been tossing up the idea for a few days now and cant decide. I am picking all of it this weekend and of course will light it up when I get it to see it in person

Thanks
Ben

[Demonic]

Any inputs?

[bluface]

Difficult decision. I finally succumb to going with T5 myself after a year of contemplation. i still have my 2 400 watters. Just waiting for my new fixture. It's color vs shimmer blah blah blah.
I gave in to the color choices on the T5 and no heat issues.

[Demonic]

Heat is probably the biggest concern. Power consumption will be at the bottom because free power for me. I really do love my T5's. What if I could just run the 400 watters and then maybe 6X80 ATI blue plus's

[AKG10]

I would run the metal halides and use the 660 for actinics. I ran 250w hqis and vho actinics on my 180. The chiller was definitely needed in the summer, but I didn't like to use fans to try and limit moisture in the house. You will definitely need a chiller with the 400s.

[scrapz]

if power is free, 1000w

To be serious, if power is free I would do 400 MH & chiller. I love my t5's but that would be my choice.

[Demonic]

Yep power is free, but heat and moisture in the house is my biggest concern. Is there anyway to get by without a chiller? Will the inline fan vented to the reflectors pull away enough heat to do this? If I have to run a chiller then I will just sell them and keep my T5's

[salsipuedes]

my personal opinion - since this is a new system being set up - go with 3 250 watt mh. Something i cant get over about the shadows it creates from having an intense light focal point. And then additionally I'd run t5s for actinic supplementation. All you would need is new ballasts and bulbs since u have the reflectors (good reflectors) and the socket with wiring. That way you'd get the color you want with your t5 bulbs, and the shimmer / shadowing effect from the t5s. The way i see it is that its a new setup, do it right so u dont mess with it later. Additionally, I would still use a chiller but i doubt it'd be running full steam. Evaporation and humidity? well... its a big tank. I think you'd have that issue eventually regardless of lighting.

[Demonic]

Well it is a new system but everything will be coming from my 180, so not really new. I wont go back to 250's since I just replaced those with the T5's. Upgrade IMO. Chiller is not really an option. I dont want to mess with it. Evaporation is not a big deal, I can get a bigger top off tank.

[stephane]

I own a store and im a hobist for 20 years so I try them all with all kind of coral
For me MH notting beat them today for a SPS dominated. I dont like the look of any fluorescent alone they are colorful but look fake and not alive. SPS dominated 180 will cost 20k plus so IMO light would be the last place I will save.

[stephane]

Ho forgot If you want to save on heat use lumenbright reflector and mount them hight they will give you top color and litle heat in the thank.

[stephane]

here is my cube 135 gallon light with one 400 watt 20k XM and lumen bright reflector notting more

[docstomper]

Haha. Choosing to live on base for the free electric?! Go MH all the way!! Lol. Get the chiller and run it to your hearts contempt! I wish I still lived on base. Electricity is spendy out here in vegas so T5 was the only way for me. Oh man. Being stationed at Nellis, I wish I was in the hobby before I moved off base!!

Dude your in Minot, Put it to em! If they put you there, you deserve all the electricity you want!!!!

[Demonic]

Originally Posted by stephane

I own a store and im a hobist for 20 years so I try them all with all kind of coral
For me MH notting beat them today for a SPS dominated. I dont like the look of any fluorescent alone they are colorful but look fake and not alive. SPS dominated 180 will cost 20k plus so IMO light would be the last place I will save.

I am not skimping on anything here. I have a SPS dominated 180 now and will be making the move to a 270 by May. 12X80 watt on Miro4 reflectors driven by IC660's def isnt skimping. They actually put out great par and I get the colors I want. Of course I cant get the growth the halides get but that is what a frag tank is for. I am def talking myself into keeping the T5's

[Demonic]

Originally Posted by docstomper

Haha. Choosing to live on base for the free electric?! Go MH all the way!! Lol. Get the chiller and run it to your hearts contempt! I wish I still lived on base. Electricity is spendy out here in vegas so T5 was the only way for me. Oh man. Being stationed at Nellis, I wish I was in the hobby before I moved off base!!

Dude your in Minot, Put it to em! If they put you there, you deserve all the electricity you want!!!!

Actually it is the wife that wants to move on base. And the rule is if we move I get a new tank. Makes moving somewhat tolerable. And yes, the free electricity is the only reason I am contemplating running the 400 watters.

And I have been in Minot for over 4 years now, and just got told I cant leave for another 18 months MINIMUM!! So yes, I want to take full advantage of the free electricity.

[jomskie_ad]

if im not paying for electric bill i will go all the way plugging everything that my corals need to have the best growth and coloration,

jsut a thought why not jsut go halide and give me ur t5 as i have a 180 and contemplating on going t5 lol of course for a price

[Demonic]

I am most likely going to use the 400 watters. I am contemplating putting the 3 80w ATI blue plus bulbs on each side. Making it 6 80w T5's with 3 400w MH's.
This would be a total of 1680 watts of juice. I think that will be good enough.

[salsipuedes]

^good idea

[Demonic]

Thanks. I should be able to get some decent growth with this. I just hope I dont burn the corals. Will probably start off with 3 hours on each pendant staggering them by 1 hour. So all 3 will only be on for 1 hour together, then I will slowly bump it up. I will start a build thread soon. Thanks guys