lighting question

rocco134 · #1 10-13-2009, 12:03 AM

Hi

I was wondering... is there a difference in intensity of light from a 400 watt MH light VS a 8x50 watt fluorescent light? Will they have the same "water penetrating" capabilities?

banditpowdercoat · #2 10-13-2009, 12:36 AM

Umm ya big difference. for one, theres half the wattage. MH will penatrate way further

rocco134 · #3 10-13-2009, 02:53 AM

sorry.. i meant 8x50 watts

banditpowdercoat · #4 10-13-2009, 03:00 AM

LOL, well, thats a little different.

The MH will penatrate more, BUT, won't cover as much area. The T5's are more spread out. What are your tank size? What do you want to keep?? Also, the MH will add more heat.

rocco134 · #5 10-13-2009, 03:07 AM

I have the option of picking up either a 210 or a 125 gallon tank.... i am leaning towards the 210..

i am unsure as to what will be in the tank. i do want a reef setup though

banditpowdercoat · #6 10-13-2009, 03:13 AM

Either way will work, but the 210 will be a 6' tank? I have seen nice T5 tanks, and my 45g is lit with 4 24W's with no issues. There is also no shimmer with T5's. Well, very little. I like the shimmer myself.
T5 are a little more ecconomical on electricity, but require more in bulbs
MH less yearly bulb cost, but more heat, and usually little more power.
T5's can cover longer distances
MH usually only light a 2'x2' area. So, a 4' tank will require 2 MH fixtures.

Depth of tank is also a factor. Chan ces are, you only need 250W MH's not 400's. So 2 250W on a 4' tank. I have 1 250 and 2 150's on my 5' at the moment. Upgrading to 3 250's tho.