MH Lighting questions

I understand that MHs will warm the water but how much does it warm the water generally and is that make it hard to maintain water temp? Also do u prefer MH or T5?

 

I love the mh I just got. I had t5 on it before and will never go back. The only thing I may ever consider is the leds if they ever come down to a reasonable price. I think the Mh looks more like sunlight then the t5 and gives you that shimmer effect. I never got that with the t5. I have not had an issue with water warming in the tank as of yet. I am getting a chiller for the tank as I fear the summer being to hot here but I did fine last year. So I would take mnh over t5 and havent noted to much in the way of heat. How big is your tank will take into play as well as how many watts too on your mh.

 

With Mh and heating of your tank will depend on the air flow to remove the unwanted heat that they do give off.. Meanin havin fans to blow the heat out of your hood system from one end to another.. Now with MH and fans you will evap more water and have to add more do to that...

But like everything there are pro's and con's and well what you can afford to light your tank with what ever you choose...

Good Luck..!!

 

Hi Pumu as per mirandacollc above
how much it warms the water, depends on a few factors

what the ambient temperature is of the room the tank is in
what , wattage are the MHs
How far above the water are the MH located
Are there fans present that can blow the heat across the top of the tank before it warms the water

MH are chosen by many and described as the best lighting for reef tanks- and aesthetically it probably gives the best look (shimmering effect)

but T5 also has its army of followers and under enough T5 lighting of the right type and wattage you can keep the majority of species available

Steve

 

Well I am looking for lighting for a 55 gallon and came across a 500W MH. That seems like a lot to me but I could be wrong

 

that is alot i wound not get that unless you get a chiller.

i would recommend to you 2x 150/ or 175's, any higher and heat would be too much

 

I second this statement. You took the words right outta my mouth. Luna

 

I too have recently gone from t5 to halides, don't get me wrong t5's were great, but halides even better, as stated you do get a bit more heat but a fan can cure this, and the shimmering effect is nice, even on my ceiling lol, i would'nt go back, my corals have really took off since i changed, but thats just me, i recommend halides...