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#11
12-16-2009, 09:22 PM
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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. 
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#12
12-16-2009, 09:43 PM
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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
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 *everything said above is just my opinion, and may or may not reflect the views of this BBS, its Operators, and its Members. If cornered on any “opinion” I post I will totally deny having ever said this in a Court of Law…Unless I am the right one*Some strive to be perfect.... I just strive.
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#14
12-16-2009, 10:27 PM
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Quote:
Steve
__________________
*everything said above is just my opinion, and may or may not reflect the views of this BBS, its Operators, and its Members. If cornered on any “opinion” I post I will totally deny having ever said this in a Court of Law…Unless I am the right one*Some strive to be perfect.... I just strive.
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#15
12-16-2009, 11:10 PM
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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.
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#16
12-17-2009, 01:38 AM
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Well I have run an 8-bulb Tek light on a 48" x 24" x 24" 120 gallon mixed reef for around 5 or 6 years so you may find my experiences helpful as the tank you are planning sounds about the same as mine.
Softies: no problem. Mushrooms don't do well ? too much light or too low nutrients. LPS: grow excellent BTA's: grow excellent on the bottom of the tank, got one off Sam 5 years or so ago, now I have around 8 BTA's in 2 tanks, if anyone wants a BTA. Clams: never tried them, if I had room for a clam I would get a Derasa or if it were a more light-demanding clam I would place it high up. SPS: Montipora digitata grows like a weed on the bottom of the tank. Montipora confusa grows slowly on the bottom of the tank. Montipora capricornis at the middle of the tank took over 1/2 the tank until I hacked it back severely. One other SPS I tried didn't do well and eventually died, I think that was due to calcium or other issues probably not the lighting. I have not tried any of the more difficult SPS mostly because I don't have the time to keep on top of frequent monitoring and testing of parameters etc. The tank is on autopilot and doing OK. In summary if you want a mixed reef the Sunlight Supply 8-bulb T5 Tek-light is a good choice. If you were going to focus more on SPS I would look at a PowerModule.
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120 gallon sps/anemones/LPS reef since 2004 Apex controller 8 x 54 watt T5 PowerModule Herbie's silent overflow system Jebao DC 12000 return pump Jecod CP-40 Cross-flow circulation device Mini Bubble King 180 Barr Aquatics calcium reactor Bucket fuge
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#17
12-17-2009, 02:52 AM
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and my water quality is pretty good thought maybe id switch things up
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#19
12-17-2009, 04:53 AM
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also what kind of corals do you have? and which kind do you find dull? and a list of your peramiters would be good. see if we can help you find a cheep way to get better results  Steve
__________________
*everything said above is just my opinion, and may or may not reflect the views of this BBS, its Operators, and its Members. If cornered on any “opinion” I post I will totally deny having ever said this in a Court of Law…Unless I am the right one*Some strive to be perfect.... I just strive.
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