MH's and T-5's

IndyMatt · 12/05/2006, 12:08 PM

I have been using two 175W MH with two VHO for actinics. I use Hamilton 14k's for the MH. I am now switching to T-5's and going to use four 54w T-5's on an IceCap 660 (Four Super Actinic and Two 50/50 Bulbs) with the two 175W MH's. With the new set-up do you think it is too much light for a mostly LPS dominated mixed tank? If so I will just use the two super actinic T-5's instead of all four.

hahnmeister · 12/05/2006, 02:10 PM

OR, even better yet, you could just take the halides off-line and run 4x54wattT5s alone. I think that would be plenty, esp considering they are going to be overdriven by the IC ballast to 80watts each. Just be sure to have plenty of fans for air movement over the T5 bulbs, otherwise the overdriving and heat buildup really kills the bulbs faster.

IndyMatt · 12/06/2006, 08:05 AM

I would but I can't go without the glitter lines. The T-5's cut down on them but they are still there. I am switching one of the actinic whites to a super actinic. It was a little too white for my tastes. I was really impressed with the T-5's though they are really intense!

hahnmeister · 12/06/2006, 11:20 AM

The thing is, glitter lines are due to a point source of light, like a halide. The more bulbs you add, or the better reflectors you use, the glitter lines end up going away anyways, no matter what the bulbs. Glitter lines are a sign that your light source isnt penetrating as deep.

I know many people claim they cant do without it, but I dont miss it one bit. Even my halide lit tanks with lumenarcDE fixtures over them: the better the light source is as far as spread, the less glitter lines you get. Glitter lines are a sign of less light getting into the water (a sign that the water is reflecting light).

12/05/2006, 12:08 PM	#1
IndyMatt Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Indy Posts: 568	MH's and T-5's I have been using two 175W MH with two VHO for actinics. I use Hamilton 14k's for the MH. I am now switching to T-5's and going to use four 54w T-5's on an IceCap 660 (Four Super Actinic and Two 50/50 Bulbs) with the two 175W MH's. With the new set-up do you think it is too much light for a mostly LPS dominated mixed tank? If so I will just use the two super actinic T-5's instead of all four.

12/05/2006, 02:10 PM	#2
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	OR, even better yet, you could just take the halides off-line and run 4x54wattT5s alone. I think that would be plenty, esp considering they are going to be overdriven by the IC ballast to 80watts each. Just be sure to have plenty of fans for air movement over the T5 bulbs, otherwise the overdriving and heat buildup really kills the bulbs faster.

12/06/2006, 08:05 AM	#3
IndyMatt Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Indy Posts: 568	I would but I can't go without the glitter lines. The T-5's cut down on them but they are still there. I am switching one of the actinic whites to a super actinic. It was a little too white for my tastes. I was really impressed with the T-5's though they are really intense!

12/06/2006, 11:20 AM	#4
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	The thing is, glitter lines are due to a point source of light, like a halide. The more bulbs you add, or the better reflectors you use, the glitter lines end up going away anyways, no matter what the bulbs. Glitter lines are a sign that your light source isnt penetrating as deep. I know many people claim they cant do without it, but I dont miss it one bit. Even my halide lit tanks with lumenarcDE fixtures over them: the better the light source is as far as spread, the less glitter lines you get. Glitter lines are a sign of less light getting into the water (a sign that the water is reflecting light).