Lighting Poll
 

What does everyone feel the all round best lighting system is. Please take everything into account, Initial cost, Maitnence cost, Quality, ECT.

I think T5ho, at least that's what I've decided on this time around. My past experience has been with T8no, T12vho, PC, and halide - I still love the shimmer of halide, and URI Vho for actinic, but I think that T5 has the best looks overall. Plus the fixture itself looks the nicest, and it will be nice to save a bit on my power bill.

- Chad

I agree with "Fish"....T5 looks brilliant, is more economic than MH, and in my opinion, looks better. More options, too.

Having said that, I'm working with PC lighting now. On a budget :smile:

Personally I like the T5/MH combo. I just don't think you can beat the MH for look or performance. I have found that in order to have a really intense light from the T5 (I don't have a par meter) you have to change the bulbs about every 6 months - they are also quite expensive and delicate to ship.

Reply
 

MH for me.

Cost wise is can be cheeper if you are a DYI'er. My 400 watt setup cost me less than $200. It may not be the most energy efficient buy 9 out of 10 corals prefer it.

Hey guys you seem to know what your all talking about. Any idea how much power a month metal hallides would most likely use (any estimate is good)

I recently bought 2 150watt double ended HQI pendents that are on the way and am wondering what you guys think these will use up in power. I hope its not like 80 dollars a month or something.

Sorry for hijacking your thread.

reply
 

If you use this link to RC you can figure out the entire power consumption for you tank.

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/tank_elec_calc.php

thanks

I really like my 250 watt halides ( I personally think you can get 2years per bulb). I also really like my VHO actinics (best color IMO) and I get 2+ years per bulb with them. I also get 2 years oper bulb on my T5s.

All depends on what you want for color and intensity. Good and bad stuff exist in all lighting catagories.

Comes back to the question "what do you want to keep" and "how big do you want to keep it in"?

Had a 75g FOWLR lit by 2-40W NO fluorescents, perfectly fine. Now I'm starting a reef, bigger tank, got a hi light clam, don't think I have any choice other than MH.

Current tank has only been up since spring but working for me is 2-40W NO fluorescents for dusk/dawn effect and evening viewing, 2-250W MHs, thinking now supplementing with either T5 or PC actinics would make things ideal.