t5 or metal halid or both??

i am looking to upgrade my light. i dont have any corals right nowbut may wanna add some in the future. i have pc on my 55 gal tank right now and was thinking about going with a t5 light (216w) it will give me almost 4 watts a gal, which i think will be good for soft corals. then i started thinking about going with a metal halide light then i saw the ones with pc or t5 on it as well. the mh is like 500 watts with the two bulbs, and i was sure if that would be to much in a 55. i know you need alot more watt per a gal with hard corals but i was wondering if thats still to much and if i went with straight mh would it be any different than going with mh with t5's??? other than maybe the color. thanks for any help on this. just figured id ask befor i spent all that money

If you can afford it, go with the mh

when i can afford it i will go with metal halide. right now i have a dual t5 setup. with mh you can get different wattage bulbs. hang in there and lordraptor will help you out even more

lol ya but i thank you guys for saying your opinion too!!

np thats what were for :D

i am using a 4 bulb T5 ho fixture on my 90 and i will be running a 3 x 175 watt mh on my 110. here is how i figure it, i prefer the T5 ho's because of bulb life, cheaper than mh's, and dont put off as much heat making it a possibility that you may need a chiller. with that said you really need mh lighting if your tank is deeper that 24". if i had the cash i would be all over LED lighting like a cheap suit LOL

i would still like to know how they get a full spectrum led

175 Watt - Recommended for aquariums up to 20' deep or mixed corals with a few SPS and clams placed high in aquarium.

250 Watt - Recommended for aquariums up to 30' deep with mixed corals including SPS and clams.

400 Watt - Recommended for aquariums up to 48' deep or a dedicated SPS and clam aquarium.


You can grow clams and hard corals with 1-175watt bulb. Just get a good reflector.

So more need to know info:
(electronic or magnetic)

Bulb life will vary depending on use as well as ballast type. In general, metal halide bulbs used with electronic ballasts can last from 18 to 24 months without significant loss in spectrum or intensity while bulbs in a similar system with magnetic ballasts will require replacing after 10-12 months of operation.

i always wondered what the difference was.
great info nitty

lol great info guys thats just what i needed to know. so ill proble go with t-5 ho's then having a standard 55gal and planning to do some soft corals. and i would like a clam or two and now i know to put them higher up in the tank to make sure they get enough light. very good info and helps me make a choice and say me some money lol thx nitty and lord

i just learned something. now if i can just remember this stuff

write it down

im gonna start keeping a journal lol, how do you get vho t5s?

tim wrote:

im gonna start keeping a journal lol, how do you get vho t5s?

VHO (Variable High Output or Very High Output) are T-12 bulbs, T5's come in NO (normal output) and HO (High Output), i have never seen and T5 VHO's

that would explain why i could only fine t-12 vho bulbs.

tim wrote:

i just learned something. now if i can just remember this stuff

lol im with you there. i think we should start a book

what are you talking about? ive allready started one

ill sell you copy when im done. cus i need lol

"drudown66"

you come to a conclusion on what lights you want to get?

think i am just going to go with a t-5. i think from what the guys above said the 216w the t5 put out should be enough. now i gotta figure out hwat brand to get!! any ideals

48" Sundial T5HO
216 total watts
2x54watt 10k day
2x54 watt 10k actinics
4 l.e.d. lights
2 fans
2 timers

works great and I never had problems out it. I think I paid $325 new, but I've seen them used for under $200.

im looking for something just like that. thanks very much. i am finishing up my order for my light right now lol. cannot wait for it to get here!!

nitty wrote:

48" Sundial T5HO
216 total watts
2x54watt 10k day
2x54 watt 10k actinics
4 l.e.d. lights
2 fans
2 timers

works great and I never had problems out it. I think I paid $325 new, but I've seen them used for under $200.

i only have that and its not enough to keep colors in my zoas. im gonna double up my light set up