Question for all w/6ft 200gal and up tanks

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Replacing 14 HO-T5 bulbs every year will be a shock to the wallet. Maybe be able to buy bulk from a supplier to save some $$.

[Skimmin]

After you do the math on bulb replacement... 14 T5's @ $30.00 ea is actually cheaper replace than 3 'good quality' 250watt halide bulbs(approx $120ea)with 4 actinic supplements. But Honestly I'm not trying to stretch pennies. I bought what I believe is a really nice tank, a Vertex 250 Cone skimmer, I have a Dart super Gold return pump, I've decided on going with the MP40's or the Tunze 6105's and a Neptune Aquacontroller. I want to do everything right when it comes with my initial setup so I'm not upgrading down the road. If halides end up being the right choice then I'll go that route. I just don't want to rule out the t5s yet because I really like the way you can customize the color of your tank with a mix of bulbs. One thing is that I haven't found any threads or posts regarding t5s on deeper tanks except for one. Supposedly you can run with the Ice Cap t5 vho in up to 30'' of water easily but I can't find a t5 vho fixture or any information from the manufacturer backing that up. I'm confused because all I'm finding is t5 ho info not t5 vho... I'm assuming that any 3ft t5 fixture running at 39 watts a bulb is HO... is that correct?

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by Skimmin

After you do the math on bulb replacement... 14 T5's @ $30.00 ea is actually cheaper replace than 3 'good quality' 250watt halide bulbs(approx $120ea)with 4 actinic supplements. But Honestly I'm not trying to stretch pennies. I bought what I believe is a really nice tank, a Vertex 250 Cone skimmer, I have a Dart super Gold return pump, I've decided on going with the MP40's or the Tunze 6105's and a Neptune Aquacontroller. I want to do everything right when it comes with my initial setup so I'm not upgrading down the road. If halides end up being the right choice then I'll go that route. I just don't want to rule out the t5s yet because I really like the way you can customize the color of your tank with a mix of bulbs. One thing is that I haven't found any threads or posts regarding t5s on deeper tanks except for one. Supposedly you can run with the Ice Cap t5 vho in up to 30'' of water easily but I can't find a t5 vho fixture or any information from the manufacturer backing that up. I'm confused because all I'm finding is t5 ho info not t5 vho... I'm assuming that any 3ft t5 fixture running at 39 watts a bulb is HO... is that correct?

You'll miss shimmer lines

Anyway, I get away with only having two halide pendants over my 6-foot tank just fine. And with LPS/softies you won't need blazing light coverage over every square inch. I know it's subjective, but I find the best lit tanks are a combo of MH/T5HO.

[Lance]

Originally Posted by fkshiu

I know it's subjective, but I find the best lit tanks are a combo of MH/T5HO.

I agree