Ati sunpower or 250MH

[NastyZ]

So looking opinions (I don't want LEDs) on ati 8x54 or (2) 250w MH and (2-4) t5 what do you guys think will be best for an sps tank I have t5s now but want more par which ati is known for, a buddy of mine has a cebu sun and I really like the color he's getting if I did go with Mh I would make a floating canopy with Lumen max elite reflectors and t5s I'm the end cost will be the same

[zoomonster]

There's plenty that will argue the point (LED's aside) but the best solution IMO is using both MH and T5. Granted not the best heat and energy use solution but performance comes at a cost. No more today than 25 years ago fluorescent does not make for an optimal primary light source for reef tanks. I've pretty much used them all NO, HO, VHO, PC and T5. T5's are best suited for supplemental lighting like adding actinic and of course allows for lights on phases so your not running halides morning until night. I just went through the same thing, decided I did not want LED's, and went with a 72" Cebu sun sitting on top of a 200g tank. I was out of the hobby long enough to miss most of the LED years otherwise I probably would have gotten sucked into that and eventually, like others, reverted back to MH.

[NastyZ]

There's no doubt t5s can grow sps iv seen a lot of stunning tanks running ati fixtures I'm just wondering if metal halide are that much superior to t5 I'm not worried about the cost of running the lights or bulbs replacement heat I'm confident I can keep it under control my tank doesn't run too hot

[cody6766]

I prefer MH over T5s for aesthetic reasons only. I've grown SPS under both with no issue, so just pick the one with the color/look you like and run with it. I guess bulb replacement cost could be a factor, but it's not significant. Power consumption can be another consideration. I just ditched a 6x36" Tek light over my 120 in favor of a pair of 250w MH and doubled my power use. It's worth it to me because I like the look of MH much more and power is cheap, but it's something to think about.

[screamingibis]

In the words of Sammy Hagar, metal halide with a T-5 supplement is the "Best of Both Worlds." Running Cebu Sun here and see no reason to change to anything else.

[powderhound]

I just changed from an ati 8 bulb sunpower to a cebu sun running 2x 250 radiums and 4 t5. I am super happy with the change and the color my corals are showing.

[NastyZ]

Originally Posted by powderhound

I just changed from an ati 8 bulb sunpower to a cebu sun running 2x 250 radiums and 4 t5. I am super happy with the change and the color my corals are showing.

So you prefer your cebu over your ati the cebu sun throws a ton of par iv seen the par readings

[acesq]

If you can deal with the extra heat, go for the MH. I ran an ATI Powermodule for years, very high par and produces great SPS colors if you get your bulb combination right. Now I run MH. I prefer the MH (its not a night and day difference, but I can see it), but was pretty surprised about how much heat is added to the tank. But be prepared for the extra heat.

[powderhound]

Yeah, made the switch and could not be happier. The ati was great, but didn't know what I was missing until I put the cebu on the tank. The fans on the cebu keep the fixture cool enough, I haven't even noticed an increase in tank temp. The shimmer of the mh are great.

[NastyZ]

Originally Posted by powderhound

Yeah, made the switch and could not be happier. The ati was great, but didn't know what I was missing until I put the cebu on the tank. The fans on the cebu keep the fixture cool enough, I haven't even noticed an increase in tank temp. The shimmer of the mh are great.

Yea iv noticed my friends cebu runs the same temp as my t5 by touch anyway