Reefer_Madness March 17, 2016 March 17, 2016 So I am starting a new tank and thinking about lighting. The new tank is a 120g with ghost overflow. I have a 6 bulb ATI fixture for it, but I am debating supplementing it with MH. The other option is switching out the 6 bulb for MH and a 2 bulb T5. Any thoughts on this? I've seen a couple of very sweet MH/T5 tanks that look amazing. Ben
Ben A March 17, 2016 March 17, 2016 With a 6 Bulb T5 setup, adding MH is overkill IMO. I run an 8 bulb over my 120 and actually keep two of the bulbs off. I added a actinic reefbrite to give the corals some pop but that's it. The nice thing about a multi-bulb t5 fixture is you can really control the light spectrum with your choice of bulbs. I have a lot of LPS and zoas, so I run almost all blue spectrum bulbs and a very small amount of red. With MH, your options are much more limited. If you feel like you really need that extra lighting then id do the 6 T5s with one 250W MH. A 150w wont be enough to cover the entire tank and a 400w would be way to much IMO. Most MH with T5 accent setups Ive seen just have the T5 for Actinics, which LEDS are better at, so if you go with MH as your main lighting, Id get a XHO reefbrite to supplement the MHs.
sethsolomon March 17, 2016 March 17, 2016 On a 120g, I would do 2x 250w HQI halides and 1-2 Reefbrite XHO strips. Or take your 6 bulb t5 and add reefbrites to it. Both will be great.
Steve175 March 17, 2016 March 17, 2016 For SPS goals I too would use 250MH x2 with T5 or LED just for actinics
YHSublime March 17, 2016 March 17, 2016 I agree with adding a reef brite to either option, mh +RB or T5+RB. I would stick with what you have and save some dollars. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reefer_Madness March 17, 2016 Author March 17, 2016 I have a 48" Reefbrite and a 24" XHO on my tanks that I am breaking down. Maybe I put both on there with the 6 bulb and call it day. What do you think?
Reefer_Madness March 17, 2016 Author March 17, 2016 My inspiration for the change to MH was Bruce's tank (bbyatv). His tank is amazing.
YHSublime March 17, 2016 March 17, 2016 I have a 48" Reefbrite and a 24" XHO on my tanks that I am breaking down. Maybe I put both on there with the 6 bulb and call it day. What do you think? is it a 4' or 6'? I don't think you could mount the 48 and a 24 to the light, and it would get interesting with the power power wires coming out at different intervals. You also might have some funny color pop with the XHO vs the Tech. But it's also bought and paid for, so that would be enough incentive to work it out.
sethsolomon March 17, 2016 March 17, 2016 4' tank. sell the 24" xho and get a 48" xho and then use both 48" reefbrites. XHO in the front, tech in the back.
YHSublime March 17, 2016 March 17, 2016 sell the 24" xho and get a 48" xho and then use both 48" reefbrites. XHO in the front, tech in the back. That's a lot of supplemental punch, but it would look awesome. And you certainly wouldn't have to worry if you had enough light... FWIW, I would contribute a lot of Bruce's to his being consistent with all things. He has a system that he doesn't really have to tweak too much because he's figured out the best way to get everything done, and he's kept with it. Just my 2c.
sethsolomon March 17, 2016 March 17, 2016 FWIW, I would contribute a lot of Bruce's to his being consistent with all things. He has a system that he doesn't really have to tweak too much because he's figured out the best way to get everything done, and he's kept with it. Just my 2c. +1 for sure. That Kawlk and CA reactor setup he has is awesome!
Reefer_Madness March 17, 2016 Author March 17, 2016 I'm going to be selling my 60 cube and 45 shallow reef as well as my 24" T5 so I can easily pay for the added 48" XHO without my wife noticing the money gone.....
Reefer_Madness March 17, 2016 Author March 17, 2016 +1 for sure. That Kawlk and CA reactor setup he has is awesome! Yeah I have the same Kalk dosing system and such. It is pretty awesome.
gmerek2 March 17, 2016 March 17, 2016 Follow your dreams and get the MH. If not you will be sitting around wondering why you can't get your SPS colors to look as good as all the photoshopped SPS pics. Sorry I'm frustrated if you can't tell. My original plan was to do MH but settled for T5 the curiosity of what the corals would look like bothers me sometimes so I say go for it .
YHSublime March 17, 2016 March 17, 2016 I can easily pay for the added 48" XHO without my wife noticing the money gone..... You've learned everything you can. Go forth into the world. Follow your dreams and get the MH. If not you will be sitting around wondering why you can't get your SPS colors to look as good as all the photoshopped SPS pics. Sorry I'm frustrated if you can't tell. My original plan was to do MH but settled for T5 the curiosity of what the corals would look like bothers me sometimes so I say go for it . If you're comparing your coral colors to Photoshopped colors based on T5 vs. MH, then you're doing it wrong.
matt March 17, 2016 March 17, 2016 sell the 24" xho and get a 48" xho and then use both 48" reefbrites. XHO in the front, tech in the back. I like his plan. I haven't installed the tech reefbrite on my 6x54 ATI yet, but I loved my colors best on my last tank when I had 1 tech reefbrite of equal length with 2 T5 bulbs (B+, and C+). That's a lot of supplemental punch, but it would look awesome. And you certainly wouldn't have to worry if you had enough light... FWIW, I would contribute a lot of Bruce's to his being consistent with all things. He has a system that he doesn't really have to tweak too much because he's figured out the best way to get everything done, and he's kept with it. Just my 2c. +1, T5 or halide...best results are with the best water chemistry. You can do well with both, or have issues with both...depending on what else you do well/poorly.
sethsolomon March 17, 2016 March 17, 2016 Or if you want to get really crazy, you could do 250w halides, VHO's, and reefbrites. :P Nothing compares to UVL Super Actinics.
Reefer_Madness March 17, 2016 Author March 17, 2016 ...depending on what else you do well/poorly. I do everything "well" including growing hair algae, killing fish, etc.
matt March 17, 2016 March 17, 2016 I do everything "well" including growing hair algae, killing fish, etc. LOL...you and me both...ain't nobody perfect
Reefer_Madness March 22, 2016 Author March 22, 2016 Decided to do the MH/T5 combo with a Giessmann Spectra 48". 2-250w halides and 4-54w T5s. I may add that 48" Reefbrite to the front, but I would hate to mess up that sexy light
sethsolomon March 22, 2016 March 22, 2016 Decided to do the MH/T5 combo with a Giessmann Spectra 48". 2-250w halides and 4-54w T5s. I may add that 48" Reefbrite to the front, but I would hate to mess up that sexy light you know , reefbrite designed the brackets to mount nicely on t5 fixture end cap brackets. I strongly recommend adding reefbrites.
Cliff Puckstable March 22, 2016 March 22, 2016 Decided to do the MH/T5 combo with a Giessmann Spectra 48". 2-250w halides and 4-54w T5s. I may add that 48" Reefbrite to the front, but I would hate to mess up that sexy light Nice choice on lighting. What bulbs are you going to run?
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