please help - need to submit a big order within in the next few hours

[Rustylugnuts]

Personally my T-5 prefrence comes comparable intensity with lower inital cost and lower power consumption (I went with a retrofit kit to get a 4 bulb setup w/individual reflectors for about 260 delivered) . I still like the look of MH better but I'm a power miser and I'm also trying to stay away from needing a chiller.

[rjrobert]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but for pure light output nothing beats a metal halide. I run 3 400watt 10k MH's. I switched to a bank of T5's to try and save money but was underwhelmed with the power since I was used to the MH's. I've yet to see any T5's that can light up a tank like 400watt MH's

[tongareefer]

So what did you end up getting?

[Marinus]

Thanks guys!

Here is what I already had before I started this thread:

65 gallon tank 36x18x24
1 x glass top
2 x Maxi-jet 900 power heads
1 x 150W Jager 3606 heater
1 x Hydrometer
1 x bucket (160 gallons worth) of Instant Ocean Sea Salt

With many thanks to all the helpfull feedback and suggestions, here's what I picked up myself yesterday:

2 x 40lb bags of CaribSea Live Sand ( wanted to see the sand myself )
1 x turkey baster
1 x empty bucket

Again with many thanks to all the helpfull feedback and suggestions, here are the items I've ordered:

1 x 36 inch Current USA SunPod 2x150W 14K HQI-MH w/ 18 Lunar Lights
90 x lbs of Fiji Live Rock
1 x Store recommended RO/DI unit and hose
1 x Octopus BH-100 protein skimmer
1 x Marineland Emperor Bio-Wheel 280 Power Filter
1 x Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Saltwater Master Test Kit
1 x Large - Mag-Float Magnetic Aquarium Glass Cleaner
6 x ft of clear tubing for siphoning


Thanks again everyone! I will update everyone tomorrow after my cousin has been to the store.

I'm so excited!

[Rustylugnuts]

I guess I was a bit ambiguous with comparable. For deep water nothing packs a punch like them 400+ bulbs w/ good reflectors. I would guess (very roughly) that T-5's would start falling behind on PAR at some point (depending on reflectors bout 250ish??) even with every sq inch covered T-5's. (Thats why , until money grows on trees for me, im going to have to stay shallow when shoppin for glass and keep my meter spinnin slow enough to read the letters on the disc) For whats in reach price wise I don't think you can beat the lumens/sq" halides offer BUT the T-5's(HO VHO) can do the trick if the depth is right and the critters aren't too needy.

[leoslizards]

Nice choices Marinus. I would like to see some pics of the things when they arrive. You forgot the two Koralia 3 though. I was recommended two Maxi-jet 1200 power heads for my 29g tank so those two MJ 900's will definitely not be enough flow for your tank. How much credit did you use? How much do you have left? If you still have about $300 credit left and the stuff is still not on it's way, I would cancel the Marineland Emperor Bio-Wheel 280 Power Filter and get a sump/refug, hob overflow, and a good pump. If you still got the receipt I would return the Hydrometer and get refractometer. That's what I did. By far the most important thing is the RO/DI unit then the skimmer, lights, etc... Either way you made a good choice on picking out your equipment. Enjoy!


Btw, today is my B-day, want to send me a RO/DI unit!