T5 Lighting

[lorenz0]

Originally Posted by andestang

Should be Ok, but personally I wouldn't go less than 8 if your going to have SPS. It will also give you more flexibility with bulb combinations.

explain why

[Skimmerking]

I strongly disagree I had my 120 gal going when i was in Afghanistan, with a 8 bulb tek lighting. i had LPs in there its was ok , my clams had to be at the top. The Sps IME wont really get the kick that they need.

I really see MH having the punch that they have to penatrate the water.

[andestang]

Look at his tank depth, he also would have more lights than you.

[Skimmerking]

Originally Posted by andestang

Look at his tank depth, he also would have more lights than you.

120 48x24x24 that is what I used to have and 2 extra 54w tubes isnt going to make is any better

[StirCrazy]

at a 24" depth, you won't have your SPS on the bottom.. well let me refrase that.. they will grow and live but they will rely more of feeding than light for energy. over 20" I recomend MH as well as T5, you can keep them with just the T5 but idealy MH will give you that extra edge.

Steve

[lorenz0]

I am glad you guys know how to read articals on the internet. I don't go into MH threads and tell people what to do because i have no experience with them.

There are many tanks out there running t5 that are well over 24" plus the OP didn't even say what he was planning on doing with the tank. For SPS here is a great thread to look at for examples:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1083336

If you want to go t5's, go with them and don't let the hard headed die hard MH lovers tell you that they aren't good enough.

[StirCrazy]

hey I like T5's also I have them on 2 of my tanks so I think I have a bit of experiance with them, both fresh water and salt. for fresh I wouln't use anything but, for salt I would do a mix of T5 and MH depending on the depth. if you want to get all out of joint about it then heck you can go with VHO in a 120 and still have SPS, while were at that you could probably do it with NO also, people did it for years.

the simple fact is T5's don't have the intensity that a MH has, yes they light the whole tank up evenly and you can mix bulbs to get pretty colors and make your coral look nice, but for pure punching power you will not get the PAR levels at the bottom of a 24" tank that a nice 250watt MH will give you. adding bulbs doesnt increase the intensity of a T5 system it increases the coverage at the same intensity. Now if the original poster is happy with his tank and T5s are a step up from what he has then ya go for it.. but I have to ask if he is happy with his tank, then why does he want new lights? usaly people want new lights because they are thinking of adding different things than need more light,, in which case both sugestions are valid and the OP should be allowed to make and informed desision with out the T5 holy army comming out and slamming anyone who recomends MH.. right?

Steve

[Kevotron]

Quite the interesting debate we have here !!
very useful indeed !

[lorenz0]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

in which case both sugestions are valid and the OP should be allowed to make and informed desision with out the T5 holy army comming out and slamming anyone who recomends MH.. right?

Steve

Hey i like both lights myself but personally alot of people give out very inaccuate info in t5's. I did a par test 2 years ago comparing a 6 bulb tek system to 250watt MH's and the readings were the same, give or take 20 par from each in different area's on each fixture.

Both are great fixtures and have pro's and con's to each. i think there is a t5vs MH thread every month but in this case the OP strictly asked about T5's. And a 8 bulb TEK will get the job done for sure. If i were to buy another fixture i would jump straight at a sunpower over any sunlight supply product but the new TEk's are interesting.