Lighting Opinions Needed

[st9z]

Ok a little background info before the fun....I have a 55 gallon tank some of the corals are LPS, soft corals, 1 clam, and a couple of SPS. I am looking to do a retro fit in my canopy with new lighting system, but I can't seem to be able to make up my mind. The 2 options I want are either 4-54 watt T5 or 2-54 watt T5 and 1- 175 watt MH.

 

Anybody ever had both of these setup at one point and liked one more than the other? Or LMK if you see and cons on having either one of them.

[Gadgets]

Why only one halide?

[Almon]

Right, two MHs will reduce the shadow effect.

 

I have a 40L frag tank that is 4'. I built a canopy that has two (2) 175w 20K MH and currently two (2) 3' actinic T5s. I'm going to add another two (2) T5s after JTFF gives me the end caps. The MHs will add more heat, and a lot more light. I like having MHs with the T5s.

[st9z]

Why only one halide?

 

I think 1 halide plus 2 T5 would be enough lighting...u disagree?

 

Right, two MHs will reduce the shadow effect.

 

I have a 40L frag tank that is 4'. I built a canopy that has two (2) 175w 20K MH and currently two (2) 3' actinic T5s. I'm going to add another two (2) T5s after JTFF gives me the end caps. The MHs will add more heat, and a lot more light. I like having MHs with the T5s.

1 point for the MH and T5 side. Thank you for your opinion.

[Larry Grenier]

I think the problem with 1 halide is getting the light to reach thw whole 4 feet. Of course, if you want an acro head in the middle of the tank and less light demanding corals off to the side, no problem. Since its a narrow tank, I'd look into parallel reflectors for better light disbursion.

 

On another note, I used to be a skeptic of t5s until I saw a few tanks using them like LANMAN (Bob) tank with just t5s and great acro growth & color. My tank in progress is t5s + VHO actinics.

Edited May 12, 2008 by Larry Grenier

[smarsh97]

I am running MH and T5. I love it. I have had both MH only and T5 only. I would not have another with only one or the other. I will have both from now on. I like the looks.

 

If you are near anyone with each setup maybe you could drop by and see them in person because it really is a personal opinion on what you like.

 

Sandy

[jamesbuf]

Where do you plan on putting the MH? If your 55gal has a center brace, I wouldn't place the halide over the middle. It will melt the brace.

 

So if you have the halide on just one side, you'll get an unever spread of light in your tank.

[wreck]

Up until last week I was running a single 175MH on one side of my 55 with 4x 55w PCs. It was hard tell the difference in lighting and most people wouldn't even notice, you really had to stand across the room from the tank to see it. I added another 175MH last week to the other side because I was running out of space for the more light demanding corals that I placed under the MH. I think you'll be ok with the T5s and single MH for now, but I'm sure you'll want to add another one in the near future. If you already have 4- T5s, I would run all of them plus the 175MH. Taking a look at different light setups is a good idea to figure exactly what appeals to you. You did mention when you were over here that you like the water shimmer, I think you can only get that with halides. Good luck and do what looks good to you.

Wreck

[Black Mammoth]

I would personally just do the T5s. I had 4 on my 75g and now I have 6 on my 90g. I also wanted a small canopy. I didn't like the tall canopy associated with the MHs. I also didn't want to see a vent for the fan. I have a 175w MH on my 55 (one side) for my coral prop tank. I only did that because it was $25 :D

[st9z]

Where do you plan on putting the MH? If your 55gal has a center brace, I wouldn't place the halide over the middle. It will melt the brace.

 

So if you have the halide on just one side, you'll get an unever spread of light in your tank.

I was going to place the MH on the far right side of the tank since that is where my RBTAs and SPS are located. As for the T5 I was going to run them one on each side of the MH 1 bulb being an Aquasun to give me light for coral growth and another actinic with white light. Does the brace in the middle have a purpose? If not i can easily remove it .

 

I would personally just do the T5s. I had 4 on my 75g and now I have 6 on my 90g. I also wanted a small canopy. I didn't like the tall canopy associated with the MHs. I also didn't want to see a vent for the fan. I have a 175w MH on my 55 (one side) for my coral prop tank. I only did that because it was $25 :D

How far up do u have to place the MH, if they were mounted in a canopy.

 

You did mention when you were over here that you like the water shimmer, I think you can only get that with halides.

Yea If i were to do a MH with T5 it would be because I would like to have the shimmer look associated with MH. Silly isnt it

 

 

Sandy and Larry,

Did you guys have any pictures of your currect tank with the MH and T5? Is your setup a retro fit or do you have a fixture with the T5 and MH?

Edited May 13, 2008 by st9z

[Black Mammoth]

How far up do u have to place the MH, if they were mounted in a canopy.

 

You are looking at roughly a 14" tall canopy, maybe 12" tall. It really depends on the lights & reflectors you get and what you are trying to do. But I would use that as a rule of thumb. If you poke around looking at people's tanks, you'll should be able to tell which ones are using MHs and the ones that are using T5s Again, it's a personal preference. For me, it made the tank "look weird" with a big canopy.

 

Below I posted my stand and canopy that I made. It isn't fully finished as I still need to make doors But the tank is up and running now. The canopy is larger than it needs to, but I did that intentionally. Mine hangs down a bit to cover up the black trim piece. I probably have it overhanging it by a 1/4" I forget how tall it is, but including the hang over, it is probably about 6" - 7" tall. I'm going to add trim pieces with flutes to match the stand. I built the canopy first and then the stand later. I decided to add the flutes. Everything is solid cherry with the exception of the flat faces of the stand which is a veneer.

 

[smarsh97]

My setup is a 180 with a fixture over it. It contains 3 x 250 watt 14k Phoenix DE bulbs and 8 x 54 watt T5 running 4 at 460 nm and 4 at 420 nm actinic.

 

I don't have a picture right this second but I can try to take one later on. I stink at taking pictures, specially full tank shots.

 

If I can manage to get one I will upload it later on.

 

Sandy