whats right for me? T5s or halides? where to buy?

Txcowboy22 · #1 12/15/2007, 10:36 PM

I have 46 gallong bowfront and I currently have a 2x96 watt jbj power compact light. I don't really like the light that it produces, altough I do like the color if I use just 2 actinic lights

. I just mainly have rics yuma and polyps nothing that requies too much light, although I would like to get a clam one day. I am not much into LPS or SPS. Although acon looks pretty cool too. I am just wondering what my next investment should be and if anyone knows a good place to buy them. THANKS!

Txcowboy22 · #2 12/15/2007, 10:38 PM

oh yeah, I am trying to avoid buying a chiller at all costs...

Newlin · #3 12/15/2007, 10:40 PM

No chiller? Go with the T5ho's. They will support the clams, sps, and lps anywhere in the tank.

Txcowboy22 · #4 12/15/2007, 10:44 PM

well, where would you get something like that?

Txcowboy22 · #5 12/15/2007, 10:45 PM

are they going to give me a much better look than what I have?

Newlin · #6 12/15/2007, 10:50 PM

The t5's are brighter than the PC imo. I have them on my tank and I'm running 3 bulbs and I love the color. There is another thread going right now about the T5's that has a lot of good info in it about the colors. And the reason I'm running 3 and not 4, the water proof caps that I have won't alow me to

. And I picked up mine as a retro fit kit at the lfs. There are some sponsors on here that have some good prices on them.

Txcowboy22 · #7 12/15/2007, 11:25 PM

what about t-6?

moo0o · #8 12/15/2007, 11:30 PM

i think you should get t5s aswell, you get to play with the bulbs mixing and matching what overall color you want. t5HO only, you dont need the overdrive them. umm id get them from reefgeek.

Txcowboy22 · #9 12/15/2007, 11:36 PM

what about just adding this to my current setup? maybe get 2 12000 k bulbs or 1 of each? I could set it in front of my current lights, Just idea b/c of money...

http://cgi.ebay.com/CL-36-Aquarium-T...QQcmdZViewItem

Txcowboy22 · #10 12/15/2007, 11:42 PM

I don't think thats going to work

SecretAgentMan · #11 12/15/2007, 11:53 PM

There is no question that a quality t5 unit wil put that PC unit to shame. Try the sunlight supply unit, I have been using it for years and it has supported SPS/clams on the sand. It has the "bank for your buck" appeal, good results without breaking the bank.

-SAM

Txcowboy22 · #12 12/15/2007, 11:58 PM

could you suggest a place to buy? What about current usa products? Should I get 4 or 6 bulbs, and which spectrum?

Txcowboy22 · #13 12/16/2007, 12:09 AM

how about his unit 36 inch Nova Extreme 4x39Watt by current usa for $200?

Txcowboy22 · #14 12/16/2007, 12:25 AM

I just want to make sure this will be an upgrade, this unit would have ess watts than the one I have lnow....

The Grim Reefer · #15 12/16/2007, 12:25 AM

That or the Tek light from reefgeek.

Txcowboy22 · #16 12/16/2007, 02:58 PM

Anymore ideas?

dantonac · #17 12/16/2007, 03:30 PM

I am a noob so feel free to ignore me. I went with MH with a 14k bulb upfront. Why? Because there is no question I can keep anything light wise. I understand t5 fixtures give more flexibility in terms of combining light colors, but it comes at a cost.

T5 lighting seems to be comparable to MH in terms of initial cost (and I have seen T5s going for more than MH). Down the road, however, you will have multiple bulbs to change every 6 months. Those bulbs ain't cheap. If you have a 4 bulb fixture you may be paying $80 plus to change those bulbs.

For the same output with a MH you just have 1 bulb to change at around $40 every 8-12 months.

Just something to think about. If you go with MH in the 14k range you should get great colors and there is nothing stopping you from going with a cheap additional light for more actinic down the road if you really want it.

Like I said, I am a noob. My rational for going with MH upfront comes from being an avid gardener where I understand how important good light is to plants (any photosynthetic organism). I see lots of people in various gardening groups trying to grow high light plants indoors under floro lights of all types. I just went with MH and HPS lights. Yes, I paid more upfront, but there isn't a cost effective floro alternative.

Those with normal output floros "shop lights" have low initial cost, but can't grow anything beyond seedlings.

Those going to higher output floros have better results, but they pay the same or more in electrical costs to burn them, and have more bulbs which have to be replaced more often.

For my money the main light should be MH and if there is any need to supplement with another spectrum, go cheap for that.