Which to choose.... T'5 or HQI?

[Myka]

Since your tank is shallow, I think you can achieve what you would like to with four T5 bulbs. Although the Vipers would be a good choice as well, I would prefer the T5s in order to have actinics.

[Pan]

Originally Posted by Myka

Since your tank is shallow, I think you can achieve what you would like to with four T5 bulbs. Although the Vipers would be a good choice as well, I would prefer the T5s in order to have actinics.

My MH had actinics VHO Actinics to boot.

[tang daddy]

t5 will give off less heat for sure, the hqi 150w will be sufficient even a 70w however it may get warm in the summer also if you want more colour out of the hqi go with 20k. If it was my choice I would go with a hqi for a small tank, if your tank was wider like 3ft then t5

[Pan]

Honestly the best way to get an idea of what you want is to go to a store or a persons house an look at the difference in t5 and MH. Bulb choice with t5 also makes a dramatic difference, as well as good individual reflectors. There are crappy MH and T5's out there so be sure an do your homework . Honestly for a small tank the viper would be okay, but for a 29 i would go 150 watt at least, the color from the 70 watts is not very nice. Pendants would work nicely for you tank, and they have a lot of flexibility. Some people, just cannot live without the shimmering effect of MH, while this is recreatable with LED'S, it is not the same visual. You might end up being part of the shimmer crowd.

[StirCrazy]

its simple do both. get the best of both worlds

Use the 150 watt HQI for the main light and get a two light T5 retrofit set up to use as actinic lighting.

T5's do not put out the same intensity of MH but they will grow anything, although Mh with grow it faster.

Steve

[Myka]

Originally Posted by 'Ol Nobodaddy

My MH had actinics VHO Actinics to boot.

The Vipers have actinics in them??

[Pan]

Originally Posted by Myka

The Vipers have actinics in them??

No I did not have a viper I had a fixture from Europe is all I'll say

[brizzo]

My vote is for 150w HQI, but I may be biased :P

[mseepman]

I'm all for the HQI as well.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by 'Ol Nobodaddy

No I did not have a viper I had a fixture from Europe is all I'll say

I just figured since he was looking at the Vipers he was looking for a clip on. I think Vipers are clip ons, aren't they? So he would need to add actinics somehow. Well he wouldn't NEED to, but it sure would look nicer. Getting a fixture with a MH and actinics in it would be ideal. Depends on budget I suppose.