advice on lighting, used mh or t5 glo

[pastout]

if you are looking for a used metal halide ive got a 175 watt metal halide with the pendent ballast and bulb(bulb works but will need replaceing eventualy) for 80$

http://canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=52932

[whatcaneyedo]

I've got a 24" 48W Hagen Glo over my 20gal soft coral nano. Its certainly brighter to the naked eye than the 65W Coralife PC fixture that I used to use but I would definitely go used metal halide in your case if those are your options. I dont know if its already sold but this would be a pretty nice package http://canreef.com/vbulletin/showthr...light=lumenmax

[Navarchus]

I thing you guys are underestimating the efficiency and effectiveness of T5’s.
I also loved the MH and used them for a long tome together with T5, but after some trail and error I can say based on my personal experience and some friends, that you can keep all kind of corals under T5! The growth rate and colors were amazing and there are other benefits such as energy saving, color combination, cover and more.

I am also a sucker for the MH shimmering effect and visual intensity, but on what cost?

[whatcaneyedo]

Here we go again... another MH vs T5 debate. lol Of course a person can do wonderful things with T5 http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-07/totm/index.php but for $150-200 its my opinion that he would be better served by a used MH pendant rather than a Hagen Glo T5.

Megs Clark, did the Hagen Glo come with bulbs for $150? I bought mine at Petland and the bulbs were sold separetly... the whole thing cost more like $211 after tax.

[megs_clark]

Hi. Thanks for all the advice so far. The t5 glo does not come with lights, their extra. I was looking at the 10000 and the actinics, which were like $30 ech if i bought the glo brand, but the lady at the pet store said the no name ones were the exact same and were $15 ech. ??? Dont know if i would get the same lighting with the no name ones, but like the price, :O). I have been scrolling through the mh adds. What the difference between the magnetic and non magnetic? And would i have to get a chiller, or is that only if i go with more then one mh? The pet stores out here are fairly limited for space and stock, so i never know if their advising me on whats best for me, or just telling me to buy whats on their shelf, which typicaly isnt much, lol. Also if i bought lets say a 150w or 250 w, would one be enough to cover my 24" wide aquarium, or would i need 2? That would be to expencive i think.

[whatcaneyedo]

My experience with T5 is too limited so I probably shouldnt say anymore.

This should answer all of your questions about how MH work (plus it saves me valuable typing time).
Part V: Everything You Need to Know About
Metal Halide Lamps and Ballasts: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/index.php

What temperature does the room your tank is in get to during the summer? If its in a cool basement you may not need anything. If its in a hot apartment with no air conditioning you might have a big problem with heat.

A single MH of either wattage should be able to light a 2'x2' area well with a decent reflector.

[imisky]

magnetic/electronic/pulse start/probe are all different types of ballasts. magnetic type ballasts tend to "over drive" some bulbs while electronic seem to "underdrive" some bulbs.. this is of course has expections as they dont always over drive or under drive bulbs as every bulb has different specs that they need to run at.

in my experience a single 150W will cover a normal size 20gallon just fine as for heat if you went with the 250W you can always lift it higher thus end up with less heat inside the tank itself, however as whatcaneyedo it also depends on where the tank is setup and the ambient temp.