What is the MH and T5 bulb life???

snaza · #1 04/25/2006, 08:28 AM

cant decide if i should get HM or T5's. whats the bulb life for both(generally). T5's are a lot cheaper to replace

RichConley · #2 04/25/2006, 09:11 AM

T5 bulbs are cheaper, but you have to replace a lot more bulbs.

dwdenny · #3 04/25/2006, 09:41 AM

On T5 some are going to about 18 months. I wont push mine that far but horkn is on month 16 with WH ballast. IC claims that they can get 18 months out of the blues and more out of the GE daylight lamps. I think with MH you can get 10-12 month use depending on the bulb and ballast combo. Rich is correct T5 are cheaper but if you have 6 over your tank and go with Blue Plus and Aquablues then T5 wont be cheaper. It all depends on your tank size and what you want to keep. HTH

snaza · #4 04/25/2006, 06:01 PM

would i be able to keep decent corals with just 4x54W T5's. tank is only 18inch deep

PiNaPLeX · #5 04/25/2006, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by snaza
would i be able to keep decent corals with just 4x54W T5's. tank is only 18inch deep

yes, you should be able to keep most corals with T5's and a tank that deep.

dannieboiz · #6 04/25/2006, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PiNaPLeX
yes, you should be able to keep most corals with T5's and a tank that deep.

agreed, most, but some SPS and especially clams.