t5's are great for reef tanks 50g and under. Does anyone read freshwater and marine aquarium there is a article in there comparing light effeciency in the aug 2009 read it. Its still really about personal trial and error. I tried 6 54w t5's on my 75g reef tank for 5 months then switched to MH and will never go back.
T5 vs MH for SPS tanks
- Thread starter Reefer08
- Start date
"t5's are great for reef tanks 50g and under", interesting observation b_shady.
I run all T5's on my 130 and have witnessed the opposite.
I've had good success with halides in the past (I ran them for 5+ years) however, for all the above mentioned reasons (point-source, coral placement, etc.), I switched away from halides.
Using T5's I can place corals just about anywhere in my tank (even on the sand bed). Having the ability to place corals just about anywhere in the tank allows my aquascaping to be more open. Basically, I can avoid the rock-wall-look.
Not the greatest or most recent pictures but I think you get the idea.
Bill
I run all T5's on my 130 and have witnessed the opposite.
I've had good success with halides in the past (I ran them for 5+ years) however, for all the above mentioned reasons (point-source, coral placement, etc.), I switched away from halides.
Using T5's I can place corals just about anywhere in my tank (even on the sand bed). Having the ability to place corals just about anywhere in the tank allows my aquascaping to be more open. Basically, I can avoid the rock-wall-look.
Not the greatest or most recent pictures but I think you get the idea.
Bill
what do you want to keep in there? 6 bulbs would be enough for most things, but make sure you use really good reflectors (I use the icecap ones) and cool them effectively. The tek reflectors are a little bit less focused so you get more of a blend with wider spaced bulbs, which is something to consider. I've seen mixed reef/lower light demanding 75s with 4xT5s. You could consider the IC660 if you want the max punch with a minimum of bulbs.
switch to t5 because of electricity bill doesn't really make sense far has budget goes. I say this because we it is time to replace the bulb, MH you replace 1 or 2 where as t5 are like 6 to 8. At the end of the day, it breaks even. it is whether you want to pay it upfront or at the backend. I prefer installments, therefore MH is the choice for me. I can't afford one big lump some of a bill for t5 bulbs at the end of the life of the bulb. that's my two cents. 
switch to t5 because of electricity bill doesn't really make sense far has budget goes. I say this because we it is time to replace the bulb, MH you replace 1 or 2 where as t5 are like 6 to 8. At the end of the day, it breaks even. it is whether you want to pay it upfront or at the backend. I prefer installments, therefore MH is the choice for me. I can't afford one big lump some of a bill for t5 bulbs at the end of the life of the bulb. that's my two cents.
well all I know is through my experience. I save about $150 a month not having to run my chiller anymore. I put up the $1500 up front and bought the ATI pwermodule and have been running it for already 3 months. So I already saved about $450 bucks. My powermodule will pay off itself in 10 months. So I guess I only need 7 more months to go. I ran 3 400w MH bulbs before. Each bulb is $90 for me so thats $270. I run 10 t5 bulbs so each bulb is around $25 eac 25x10 is $250 hey what do u know I still saved. I have been really impressed by T5.....BIG TIME. I can see the big difference in electric bill. I use to pay $380 during the summer without running my aircondtioner. Straight up living misreable because I loved my fish tank, but now with the T5 I can blast my a/c in my house and my son and dogs dont even realize how hot it is outside during the summer and my electric bill is $220......hey what do you know I still saved than before but now i live comfortably. But yeah I guess if someone doesnt have the money to put up front then its not for them. But if u did have some extra money to spend up front I can assure u that u wont regret it. 7 more months to go and my ATI powermodule pays off itself......that to me is getting it for FREE....just my .99 cents
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Well Reef Central TOTM? Only a few.
But I thought you were into European tanks?
Almost all the European SPS tanks are run offa T5's. Europe is 5 years ahead of us when it comes to this hobby. Tony I think you need to spend more time on the German forums :aetsch:
I think the major advantage that T5 has is that you can have a nice mixture of bulbs. The nicest reds ive ever seen have always been from T5 lit tanks. Also no shadowing since the light spread is everywhere.
But I think the important thing with T5's is that you can't go cheap. Go ATI or home :rock:
But I thought you were into European tanks?
Almost all the European SPS tanks are run offa T5's. Europe is 5 years ahead of us when it comes to this hobby. Tony I think you need to spend more time on the German forums :aetsch:
I think the major advantage that T5 has is that you can have a nice mixture of bulbs. The nicest reds ive ever seen have always been from T5 lit tanks. Also no shadowing since the light spread is everywhere.
But I think the important thing with T5's is that you can't go cheap. Go ATI or home :rock:
