Lighting: T5 vs Metal Halide???

Myka · #1 03-30-2009, 04:05 AM

For a corner tank, you would probably be happier with a MH as you will get better coverage in that shape of tank than you would with T5s. If you want to try T5s the 40g would be a better shape to try it on.

lorenz0 · #2 03-30-2009, 05:05 AM

aww i love these threads

by saying t5's your just saying a type of bulb. unless you state the t5 fixture than you can compare them to t5's. I think alot of people a mislead by these threads and think that the general idea of t5's is comparable.

imo if your comparing a TEK or powermodual they are basically the same as MH. I did a par test comparing the 2 and they both put out similar numbers. Personally i prefer t5's because you can customize your light spectrum (you can do the same with MH... by adding t5's lol) and they produce less heat, but you loose the shimmer from the MH.

It all comes down to what you enjoy. I ended to going to a friends place to check out his t5 tek set up which is what sold me on them. but to each their own... btw the die hard MH fans are already trying to lead you to the dark side lol.

Aquattro · #3 03-30-2009, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorenz0

btw the die hard MH fans are already trying to lead you to the dark side lol.

It's not the dark side, we have really bright lights here!! You NEED MH!!

JDigital · #4 03-30-2009, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

It's not the dark side, we have really bright lights here!! You NEED MH!!

I said the same thing...

sask · #5 04-02-2009, 05:13 PM

For your overheating problem? If your tank is on an outside wall you could do as I have (not if you are a renter tho, landlord might not appreciate). A 4-6 inch hole thru the canopy and wall (check for stud location to avoid), insert a piece of ducting with an elbow pointing down on the outside put in an inline booster fan available at Princess Auto, hook up a plug to the wiring and viola, no more condensation inside your canopy or on your windows, and much, much less heat. they run silent when on the outside, consume very little energy and solve a lot of issues relating to heat and moisture. you can install the whole thing for under $50.

sask · #6 04-02-2009, 05:32 PM

A note on MH bulb cost. I buy my hqi bulbs from an ebay store called trust_deals lights ( it goes by a couple of names, you should be able to find it from that name). All the hqi seem to be $20 us each plus $7 for shipping. If you order 2, 3,4 bulbs etc, it is still only $7 for shipping. The bulbs are awesome. I had some brand name bulbs from JL Aquatics and the colour of the trust deals bulbs was much better. They last just as long, and at $20 a piece, it is way easier (mentally)to replace and discard once a year (like you should to get the best spectrum out of them) than when you are paying $70 plus +taxes I went from 10k to 14k then up to 20k. My tank looks great under 20k. They also have LED, UV, double and single end HQI and everything in between. Good luck.

Myka · #7 03-30-2009, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorenz0

imo if your comparing a TEK or powermodual they are basically the same as MH. I did a par test comparing the 2 and they both put out similar numbers.

It's not all about PAR in the end. IME, it seems like the quality of the light that comes from MH exceeds that of T5s. I don't know why as all the little numbers we can test for seem to indicate that they are essentially the same kind of light. I have definitely noticed that newbies have an easier time accomplishing great color and growth with their corals using MH lighting than T5s. I really can't explain, but it's a trend I have really started picking up on in the last couple years as T5s have become more and more popular.

I used to be a diehard MH, then I was diehard T5, and now I think there's a place for each type of lighting.

Aquattro · #8 03-30-2009, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

I used to be a diehard MH, then I was diehard T5, and now I think there's a place for each type of lighting.

I agree. MH over you tank, T5 in the garage for shop lights

For me, there is no alternative to MH. To replicate the lighting you see on a real reef, T5 doesn't cut it. The sharp contrast and the glitter lines make the reef, IMO.

fkshiu · #9 03-30-2009, 05:27 AM

MH for me if only for the glittering. Numerous tanks in Europe have proven that you can grow anything well under T5HO provided you've jammed enough tubes under your hood.

Why not just get the best of both worlds? MH with T5 supplementation?

StirCrazy · #10 03-30-2009, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorenz0

imo if your comparing a TEK or powermodual they are basically the same as MH. I did a par test comparing the 2 and they both put out similar numbers.

weird, I have never found a T5 that puts out anywhere near at 250 watt MH, but I am doing testing through water at a distance of 18".

and yes I have tested a Tek. problem is if you are testing a 10K MH then you need to have 10K bulbs only in the T5. actinic give a false high reading pn PAR meters.

Steve