Suggestions...120 gallon 8-T5s or Metal Halides

hefeweizan · 09/07/2006, 04:52 PM

I am setting up a 120 gallon and I am trying to figure out which path to take.

Tank is 48x24-24 inches

I am considering:
8-T5 retrofit
or
2-175w metal halides

I cannot decide....I want to be able to keep SPS corals low in the tank and also be able to keep LPS without burning them with too much light. I have seen many pictures of people doing it with only T5s so I cannot make up my mind.....HELP!!!
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exoticaquatix · 09/07/2006, 05:08 PM

you might want to bump up the MH option to 2 x 250 if you want to keep any high light SPS. the 8 x 54watt will put out alot more light than those 175watts as far as i have heard. im planning on 2 x 250watt 10k's with 2 or 3 54watt t5's for blue. thats for a sps dominated tank tho.
-nick

MimicTang · 09/07/2006, 05:12 PM

I'd do T5s

JC VT · 09/07/2006, 06:06 PM

I'd do halides + VHO/T5 supplement. Definitely get a good reflector for the halides like a PFO parallel or lumenarc.

mikeatjac · 09/07/2006, 06:08 PM

I vote for the 250s.

ultraxr · 09/07/2006, 06:17 PM

I too have a 120 with the same dimensions. After doing a lot of researching. I decided to order a 8x54w T5 Tek Light fixture.

J4Life · 09/07/2006, 06:21 PM

I would try 175 watt MH's. Probably the XM, 10k's and go with 2 48 inch UVL Super Actinic's running on an IceCap 660 ballast. Get you some SLR's for the T5's.

I have 250's on my 75 gallon right now which is the same depth as your 120 gallon tank and I think it might be too much light. If you get ARO 250 watt ballast you can run either 175 or 250's. I bought my MH setup from www.hellolights.com and my T5 setup from www.diyreef.com

I already had a IceCap 660. Best florescent ballast you can get. In my opinion the MH/T5 combo is the best way to go.

HTH's,
Bill

aclos3 · 09/07/2006, 06:36 PM

If you want to keep sps low in a 24 inch deep tank, I really think you will need more than 175w halides.

BLANKENSHIP76 · 09/07/2006, 07:09 PM

You should get 250W halides! 24 in deep to deep for 175W especially for SPS

hefeweizan · 09/07/2006, 07:50 PM

ULTRAXR,

how does the trek 8-T5 fixture look in your tank....and what made you decide to go with the T5s???

hefeweizan · 09/07/2006, 07:54 PM

J4Life,

I am considering going that way as will, with 2-175w XM 10Ks and four VHOs, but I don't want to use a chiller. And if I go this route I will probably need one....any ideas????

JC VT · 09/07/2006, 08:25 PM

You can always make a pendant and hang it from the ceiling. I had a set up similar to what you are describing; 175w XM 10k with 4 VHOs (3 actinic 1 50/50). No heat issues with a pendant.

I hear the 175w Iwasaki 15k puts out as much as a 250w bulb, so that might be another option.

jag1979 · 09/07/2006, 08:33 PM

no personal experience yet...but I think you will NEED 250's for that depth from what I have heard...maybe 175hqi, but probably 250's if you want sps on the bottom

hefeweizan · 09/07/2006, 08:53 PM

aclos3,

I have seen a tank of the month keep SPS corals on the bottom of a tank that deep with just 6-T5s......

hefeweizan · 09/07/2006, 08:56 PM

JC VT

are the 4 VHOs in the fixture with the two 175w???

if so where can i find them....

hefeweizan · 09/07/2006, 09:07 PM

This is why I am so undecided....I am getting GREAT advice from everyone....

I am still doing more research into the metal halides, but i probably won't go with the 250w, its too much heat.

I am looking into a really good reflector for the 2-175w metal halides....

something like the spider light or there was also a square looking on that i saw that looke awesome...

J4Life · 09/07/2006, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hefeweizan
J4Life,

I am considering going that way as will, with 2-175w XM 10Ks and four VHOs, but I don't want to use a chiller. And if I go this route I will probably need one....any ideas????

You won't need a chiller as long as you have good ventilation and fans are being used. Personally I would use 2 T5's and ditch the VHO's. The T5's will be less wattage. They do get hotter if you overdrive them like I do on the IceCap 660, but still the blue in the UVL Super Actinic T5 is way better than their VHO Super Actinic.

As for all of you saying 175 watt MH's won't grow SPS at the bottom that is just nonsense. If you haven't used them then it is not even fair to comment. Secondly the right 175 watt MH bulb will grow anything top to bottom. Personally I think most people over emphasize wattage way too much. If you buy the ARO electronic ballast for 250 watt MH's you can run 175's on them and if you don't like the growth switch to 250's. However I am seriously considering going with 175's next time I have to change bulbs out.

I run my XM, 2x250 watt 10k's for 8 hours and they're in an open canopy 12 inches from the water and I think it is still too much light. So 175's in a 24 inch tank especially with a DSB 4-6 inches will do the job quite nicely. Yes they corals might not grow an inch a month but 1/2 inch isn't bad either.

Of course I honestly can't say mine grow that fast, but I have had a 1/4 inch or more in a month with my lighting setup right now.

HTH's,
Bill

hefeweizan · 09/07/2006, 09:23 PM

One thing that I forgot to mention was that I don't really care for the Shimmering Effect of the metal halides....

At my office we have a 150gallon bow front with 3 metal halides and atinics and i am not convinced about it.

I find it hard to look at a tank with Shimmer for a long period of time than a tank that just has VHOs...

Does anyone else fell that way????

J4Life · 09/07/2006, 09:29 PM

I don't. I think the shimmering is a very nice feature of the MH bulb, but I would imagine you can over emphasize it to with to much surface aggetation that it would be hard to look at for long periods.

Of course if you feel that strongly about it then you may want to just do and all T5 setup and not even use MH's.

Just something to consider.

hefeweizan · 09/07/2006, 09:34 PM

J4Life,

I think you are correct....I see no season why I wouldn't be able to grow SPS corals on the bottom...

Even, I prefer that don't grow that fast anyway b/c then i will need to get a bigger tank faster than i would have anticipated...LOL

I just want to have good coloration on the corals that are on the bottom...

hefeweizan · 09/07/2006, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by J4Life
I don't. I think the shimmering is a very nice feature of the MH bulb, but I would imagine you can over emphasize it to with to much surface aggetation that it would be hard to look at for long periods.

Of course if you feel that strongly about it then you may want to just do and all T5 setup and not even use MH's.

Just something to consider.

That is why a am trying to do so much research...b/c if i can keep SPS corals on the bottom with great color then i would prefer to go with just T5s, but i am not sure it it will work as i see it...

hefeweizan · 09/07/2006, 09:39 PM

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP...EVERYONE HAS MADE SOME REALLY VALID POINTS!!!!

hefeweizan · 09/07/2006, 09:41 PM

The shimmer effect is very nice....but you are right as long as the water surfacing doesn't have to much aggitation...

J4Life · 09/07/2006, 09:54 PM

Don't forget this either. Lighting is just a piece of the puzzle. If you're going to strive for vivid coloration then you will need to have a good water movement. Strong skimming and filtration and probably a moderate to heavy bi-load with regular daily feedings..

Most tanks especially this month's TOTM's skims heavy and feeds heavy. There is a balance to maintaining beautiful colors. 20K bulbs work well because they produce more light in the blue spectrum but you need a 400 watt bulb to equal PAR ratings of the 250's.

For what its worth and all T5 setup or MH/T5 combo is probably the two best choices for lighting. Either one will give you the results you're looking for. Just don't forget the other part, filtration and water movement.

HTH's
Bill

pjhaddock · 09/07/2006, 10:06 PM

I am in the process of finishing the canopy for my 120g. Right now it has the canopy from the 75g over it, 6 54W T5's with SLS reflectors. The 120g canopy has 8 54W T5's on Icecap660 ballasts and SLR reflectors... I hope I do not end up frying everything....

09/07/2006, 04:52 PM	#1
hefeweizan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Miami Posts: 136	Suggestions...120 gallon 8-T5s or Metal Halides I am setting up a 120 gallon and I am trying to figure out which path to take. Tank is 48x24-24 inches I am considering: 8-T5 retrofit or 2-175w metal halides I cannot decide....I want to be able to keep SPS corals low in the tank and also be able to keep LPS without burning them with too much light. I have seen many pictures of people doing it with only T5s so I cannot make up my mind.....HELP!!! Edit/Delete Message

09/07/2006, 05:08 PM	#2
exoticaquatix Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: baltimore, MD Posts: 536	you might want to bump up the MH option to 2 x 250 if you want to keep any high light SPS. the 8 x 54watt will put out alot more light than those 175watts as far as i have heard. im planning on 2 x 250watt 10k's with 2 or 3 54watt t5's for blue. thats for a sps dominated tank tho. -nick __________________ This dude either has two glass eyes or he's wearing his patch on the wrong sa-sa-sa-side. -Aesop Current Tank Info: 120gal 500w MH 10K XMs 30g sump, MSX-200 skimmer, vortech MP40w and Tunze nanostreams; 9 gal, 29gal FW planted tanks

09/07/2006, 06:06 PM	#4
JC VT Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Chicago, Il Posts: 579	I'd do halides + VHO/T5 supplement. Definitely get a good reflector for the halides like a PFO parallel or lumenarc. __________________ What ain't no country I ever heard of. They speak English in what?

09/07/2006, 06:08 PM	#5
mikeatjac Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 2,433	I vote for the 250s. __________________ Red Sea Reefer 525 - BK 160- G5 Blue - GHL

09/07/2006, 06:17 PM	#6
ultraxr Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Va Bch, VA Posts: 321	I too have a 120 with the same dimensions. After doing a lot of researching. I decided to order a 8x54w T5 Tek Light fixture. __________________ 120 gal- Softies & some LPS

09/07/2006, 05:12 PM	#3
MimicTang Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hartford CT Posts: 1,517	I'd do T5s

09/07/2006, 06:21 PM	#7
J4Life Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 1,397	I would try 175 watt MH's. Probably the XM, 10k's and go with 2 48 inch UVL Super Actinic's running on an IceCap 660 ballast. Get you some SLR's for the T5's. I have 250's on my 75 gallon right now which is the same depth as your 120 gallon tank and I think it might be too much light. If you get ARO 250 watt ballast you can run either 175 or 250's. I bought my MH setup from www.hellolights.com and my T5 setup from www.diyreef.com I already had a IceCap 660. Best florescent ballast you can get. In my opinion the MH/T5 combo is the best way to go. HTH's, Bill __________________ Go Panthers! Got JC? <o)))>< Current Tank Info: 75 gallon, Reef tank

09/07/2006, 06:36 PM	#8
aclos3 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 394	If you want to keep sps low in a 24 inch deep tank, I really think you will need more than 175w halides.

09/07/2006, 07:09 PM	#9
BLANKENSHIP76 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 827	You should get 250W halides! 24 in deep to deep for 175W especially for SPS

09/07/2006, 07:50 PM	#10
hefeweizan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Miami Posts: 136	ULTRAXR, how does the trek 8-T5 fixture look in your tank....and what made you decide to go with the T5s???

09/07/2006, 07:54 PM	#11
hefeweizan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Miami Posts: 136	J4Life, I am considering going that way as will, with 2-175w XM 10Ks and four VHOs, but I don't want to use a chiller. And if I go this route I will probably need one....any ideas????

09/07/2006, 08:25 PM	#12
JC VT Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Chicago, Il Posts: 579	You can always make a pendant and hang it from the ceiling. I had a set up similar to what you are describing; 175w XM 10k with 4 VHOs (3 actinic 1 50/50). No heat issues with a pendant. I hear the 175w Iwasaki 15k puts out as much as a 250w bulb, so that might be another option. __________________ What ain't no country I ever heard of. They speak English in what?

09/07/2006, 08:33 PM	#13
jag1979 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 982	no personal experience yet...but I think you will NEED 250's for that depth from what I have heard...maybe 175hqi, but probably 250's if you want sps on the bottom

09/07/2006, 08:53 PM	#14
hefeweizan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Miami Posts: 136	aclos3, I have seen a tank of the month keep SPS corals on the bottom of a tank that deep with just 6-T5s......

09/07/2006, 08:56 PM	#15
hefeweizan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Miami Posts: 136	JC VT are the 4 VHOs in the fixture with the two 175w??? if so where can i find them....

09/07/2006, 09:07 PM	#16
hefeweizan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Miami Posts: 136	This is why I am so undecided....I am getting GREAT advice from everyone.... I am still doing more research into the metal halides, but i probably won't go with the 250w, its too much heat. I am looking into a really good reflector for the 2-175w metal halides.... something like the spider light or there was also a square looking on that i saw that looke awesome...

09/07/2006, 09:23 PM	#18
hefeweizan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Miami Posts: 136	One thing that I forgot to mention was that I don't really care for the Shimmering Effect of the metal halides.... At my office we have a 150gallon bow front with 3 metal halides and atinics and i am not convinced about it. I find it hard to look at a tank with Shimmer for a long period of time than a tank that just has VHOs... Does anyone else fell that way????

09/07/2006, 09:29 PM	#19
J4Life Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 1,397	I don't. I think the shimmering is a very nice feature of the MH bulb, but I would imagine you can over emphasize it to with to much surface aggetation that it would be hard to look at for long periods. Of course if you feel that strongly about it then you may want to just do and all T5 setup and not even use MH's. Just something to consider. __________________ Go Panthers! Got JC? <o)))>< Current Tank Info: 75 gallon, Reef tank

09/07/2006, 09:34 PM	#20
hefeweizan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Miami Posts: 136	J4Life, I think you are correct....I see no season why I wouldn't be able to grow SPS corals on the bottom... Even, I prefer that don't grow that fast anyway b/c then i will need to get a bigger tank faster than i would have anticipated...LOL I just want to have good coloration on the corals that are on the bottom...

09/07/2006, 09:39 PM	#22
hefeweizan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Miami Posts: 136	THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP...EVERYONE HAS MADE SOME REALLY VALID POINTS!!!!

09/07/2006, 09:41 PM	#23
hefeweizan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Miami Posts: 136	The shimmer effect is very nice....but you are right as long as the water surfacing doesn't have to much aggitation...

09/07/2006, 09:54 PM	#24
J4Life Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 1,397	Don't forget this either. Lighting is just a piece of the puzzle. If you're going to strive for vivid coloration then you will need to have a good water movement. Strong skimming and filtration and probably a moderate to heavy bi-load with regular daily feedings.. Most tanks especially this month's TOTM's skims heavy and feeds heavy. There is a balance to maintaining beautiful colors. 20K bulbs work well because they produce more light in the blue spectrum but you need a 400 watt bulb to equal PAR ratings of the 250's. For what its worth and all T5 setup or MH/T5 combo is probably the two best choices for lighting. Either one will give you the results you're looking for. Just don't forget the other part, filtration and water movement. HTH's Bill __________________ Go Panthers! Got JC? <o)))>< Current Tank Info: 75 gallon, Reef tank

09/07/2006, 10:06 PM	#25
pjhaddock Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 466	I am in the process of finishing the canopy for my 120g. Right now it has the canopy from the 75g over it, 6 54W T5's with SLS reflectors. The 120g canopy has 8 54W T5's on Icecap660 ballasts and SLR reflectors... I hope I do not end up frying everything.... __________________ Philip Jacksonville, FL 120G with 40G Sump Current Tank Info: 120G AGA RR