MH or T5

EricTheRed

EricTheRed

No, I'm not a communist..
I have been running a Current Nova Extreme Pro 8-Bulb (54W) T5 fixture over my tank with decent SPS growth. However, I just bought a used tank yesterday from a guy and he threw in his MH fixture for free. It's about 5 yrs old. It is a Coralife Aqualight Pro w/ 2 X 150HQI MH's and 2 X 96W 34" true actinic compact flourescent lights. He never replaced any of the bulbs so I'd need new ones. I'm thinking of swapping out the T5 fixture for the MH's.

Here's my question, which fixture would you rather have and why?
 
If you are doing ok with your SPS, I say from seeing your tank (even with 2 bulbs out) to keep the T5. You just can't get the same color from your tank with a MH light (or led I have found out)
 
FishBeard said:
If you are doing ok with your SPS, I say from seeing your tank (even with 2 bulbs out) to keep the T5. You just can't get the same color from your tank with a MH light (or led I have found out)
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I finally broke down and replaced the bad ballast and added 2 more bulbs. My monti's grew like weeds with 6 bulbs but my acro's weren't thriving. In the last week since I went to 8 bulbs my acro's have already colored up better and are visually happier. Since I've never owned a MH fixture, I wasn't sure if this one would be better than my T5's. My thought is that I'd need 250W MH's to beat my 8 T5's...
 
Depends on the dementions of your tank. That new fixture may be too weak.
Personally i like the mini-sun effect you get with mh and leds.
I got better growth with mh, but better color with t5. For me, leds are the best of both worlds. Leds (the right leds, they are not all the same..huge differences) are better in every possible aspect imo. Even price (long run).
Id keep the t5s for now, sell the other one, and start saving for leds. :D
 
Greg said:
Depends on the dementions of your tank. That new fixture may be too weak.
Personally i like the mini-sun effect you get with mh and leds.
I got better growth with mh, but better color with t5. For me, leds are the best of both worlds. Leds (the right leds, they are not all the same..huge differences) are better in every possible aspect imo. Even price (long run).
Id keep the t5s for now, sell the other one, and start saving for leds. :D
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Thanks, Greg. My previous plan was to eventually go to LEDs but after getting this MH, I wanted to look into it. I really like the shimmering "mini-sun" effect too.
My tank is a standard 90G: 48"x18"x24". Would the 150W MH's be too weak for 24" deep? My neighbor has a 72G reef that's 21" deep and I was thinking about seeing if he wants it.
 
I'd suggest keeping the t-5 fixture also, especially is it's doing well for your tank. The only thing you'll get with the mh fixture is the shimmer...and the extra heat. :)
 
Smitty said:
I'd suggest keeping the t-5 fixture also, especially is it's doing well for your tank. The only thing you'll get with the mh fixture is the shimmer...and the extra heat. :)
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Yes sir, I want that shimmer! However, they will have to wait until I convice the Mrs. that LEDs are actually an investment :)
 
This brings me to another question; My understanding is that the true actinics (420nm) and the fiji purples do not contribute to growth, and are only supplemental for good color. I have the following 8 bulbs now:

3 ATI Aquablues
3 ATI Blue Plus
1 ATI True Actinic
1 KZ Fiji Purple

I'd like to get more color "pop" but am leary of adding another supplemental bulb. I'd like to swap out one of the Aquablues for another true Actinic. Would i still have sufficient light for my acro's?
 
I wouldn't add another actinic/supplemental bulb, all you really have are color bulbs, but no growth bulbs. You should have 1-2 10k(growth) bulbs too.
 
Problem with mh is heat. I will never go back because of it. :)

Actually, with ATI, AquaBlue are their 'white' growth bulbs. ;) They are white with a hint of blue, but give decent growth. Sometimes reffered to as 12k bulbs.

Personally, I wouldnt change your bulb setup.
 
I used this combo on my tank,great color and growth.
Front to back:
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
KZ New Generation
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
KZ New Generation
ATI Blue Plus

I really like those New Generations bulbs.
 
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