RLaForce Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 I want to upgrade my lighting system. Right now I have 400w 14k MH on my 100 gallon. I was wondering how people feel about the t5 vs. MH? What do you think is the best combo for growth and color?(scratch) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 do you only have 1 light now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 I would drop down to a 10k bulb on the 400 watt and add a couple actinic T5's. Start off with adding 2 T5's and if ya want more blue add another 2. the 10k's will give ya the growth you are looking for and the T5's will provide the blue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClayTheSavageFraser Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Ok, if anyone here had a choice between T5's and MH what would you pick? Or even better lancecobb1 has a t5 set for sale and oxxx155 has a light fixture for sale. Which would you pick? The t5 only set up or the combo dual 250mh with actinics? Me I wouldn't know cause it looks like the 250mh set up is running 6 actinic bulbs and the T5's are appealling cause it would run at a cooler and more energy efficient. Now also the T5s place the light in a broader manner too, they hit more surface area. But the spectrum is not as good for the corals? Right? I know when I was researching, everyone says that the combo of the 2 is the way to go because with MH you can grow anything and everything. Any who...RLaForce is my great friend and we are having a dilemma? She does need a new light to get the cool color effect that she wants and the sunlight supply single end bulb that she is running just isn't cutting it. It works for the corals, but we want the pop and glow of the actinics! LOL!! What do you think? Clay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLaForce Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 yeah what Clay said lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 What brand is the 14k bulb? At 14k each brand seems to be a bit different. For soem extra pop in the corals you could try either a different brand in the 14k or bump up to something like a XM 15k (Of the ones I've tested the color on this is my favorite). 20k would really make them pop out but growth may slow. Or simply toss a T5 retrofit with one or two actinics in it. You will keep the shimmer from MH and get the colors popping out. Between MH and T5 I would choose the MH although they do cost more to run and heat could be an issue. (I don't have a heat issue but mine are pendants that each have their own fan and they are out in the open rather than trapped in a hood) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SALTY Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 I have had both mh and t5 setups I really like the shimmer you get with the mh as for the t5 right now I have a tek 6 bulb setup on my 120 and the coral growth of my sps are killer. I got some frags from garrett about a month ago and there is about 1/4 inch of new growth just with the t5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 DOUBLE ENDED PHOENIX! Wattage depends on what you want to accomplish as far as growth goes. No Actinic supplementation needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancecobb1 Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 I have never used MH but I love my T5s! I like the choice of lamps you can choose from. If you dont like the color, change a bulb or two! That t5 fixture would rock that 100 gallon tank! You would just need 4 ati blue plus, ati aqua blue special, uvl actinic white bulbs! you would get killer growth and sweet color! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancecobb1 Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Maybe throw in a New uv lighting indigo sun or a fiji purple bulb instead of the aquablue, to pull the reds and purples? Its totally up to you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfisher Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 RlaForce......Clay is your light, what you seek is a fixture hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClayTheSavageFraser Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 HA...ha...ha!! That was hilarious!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krux Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 DOUBLE ENDED PHOENIX! Wattage depends on what you want to accomplish as far as growth goes. No Actinic supplementation needed. QFT! I love the Phoenix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLaForce Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 RlaForce......Clay is your light' date=' what you seek is a fixture hahaha[/quote'] Can you tell I'm the quieter of the two? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason7504 Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 go with a mixture of MH and t5s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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