Ditch the T5s unit and add some MH?

[martinmcnally]

I am getting SPS growth but at a very very slow pace and only from the corals at the very top of the tank. Thinking maybe I should ditch the T5 unit and upgrade to something with MHs. Maybe even break apart the T5 unit and just build a custom hood using all the existing T5 stuff and add an MH or two.

Is this a wise move? I mean for coral growth? I am getting great growth from my Zoas and mushrooms.

[sphelps]

Before you consider changing your lights make sure low light is the problem. Be sure all your levels stay high and consistent and you nitrates and phosphates are low.

[brizzo]

What does your current T5 system consist of? (ie; fixture, reflectors, how many bulbs, wattage, bulb color, and age of bulbs).

What is the depth(height) of your tank, and how many gallons?

Like sphelps suggested, parameters severely effect hard coral growth, not just lighting alone

[Canuckgod420]

whats your tank size and how many T5s are you using?

I run T5s and can honestly tell you, my corals have never looked better, growth rate and colour are amazing(take a look at my tank thread).
I used to run MH and dont think I could ever go back(although I do miss the shimmer).

[martinmcnally]

36L x 24H x 18W

I have a suntek tight with 4 T5s in there, bulbs are just a month old or so.

Ph: 0.1
CA: 450
dKH: 8
Nitrate: 5

Looks like I could use some work on the Nitrate.

[martinmcnally]

Sorry I cant remember what the parameters of the lights are now, I got them from Golds in Calgary not too long ago to replace some older bulbs that were in there. I took their recommendation.

I want to say something close to 2x 14K and 2x ReefBlue or Antics.

[chris88]

6 bulbs would be better and i think your bulbs could be replaced for bulbs with higher par.

[mr.wilson]

Wait another six months for a decent mass produced LED to come on the market.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by martinmcnally

36L x 24H x 18W

I have a suntek tight with 4 T5s in there, bulbs are just a month old or so.

Ph: 0.1
CA: 450
dKH: 8
Nitrate: 5

Looks like I could use some work on the Nitrate.

sorry missed that, I would say with a Ph of 0.1 you are lucky to have anything left in there at all, should desolve the flesh and the rock. unless you are talking about phos, then .1 is a little high and will fuel algae, for normal test kits you should read 0.0 and there will still be some.

you are pushing the lights for the depth of the tank so ya if you got the money MH would probably give you a good boost in light. do you have any corals higher up in the tank? never mind. so ya waiting for a LED fixture that is worth it is probably at least a year off and its going to be expensive, so if you are happy going with MH then I say go for it and use your T5 for actinics if you can fit them both on the tank.

Steve

[martinmcnally]

hahaha yes Phosphate is 0.1 thats way lower than its ever been before I started running a lot of Rowaphos I was getting readings above 1 sometimes even 2. Ive been running Rowaphos for a few months now and its working great.

pH is around 8.2 or 8.3

I guess i could modify the tek light for MH instead of additional T5s. hmmmm