Does It Realy Matter What Type

IF I WANT TO START A NEW REEF TANK AND I AM CHOOSING LIGHTS DOES IT REALY MATTER IF I USE SAY HALIDES OR THOSE T5S

 

Mostly depends on what you want to keep>>>>

 

Yes. It really matters depending on size of tank, what you want to keep.

 

Well, if your waiting for a very detailed, educated and technical answer, you'll have to wait for Mr. Coralreefer, Tangster, Otty or Jason to appear. MH's are, IMO, stronger than T5's but if you have a shallow tank, you can get away with the T5's. If you have a deep(more than 20") then you should go with MH.

 

thanks omard and luna for ringing in..... i'm afraid to give info sometimes cuz i'm still pretty new myself....

 

The best way to approach lighting is to first deside on the size of tank. The deeper the harder it will be for light to penetrate to the bottom. Next would be what you plan on keeping in the tank. As this usually evolves with the growth of the tank planning ahead will save you hundreds of dollars. I'll have to admit I'm a Metal Halide guy, and don't feel there is an alternative quite yet.
But if you look at all the incredible German Tanks, Most of them are running T5s.
But in my opinion if you start with PC or T5 lighting would will eventually end up purchasing MH.

So if you could let us know what you currently plan on getting, Tank size and what you want to keep in the tank it would be much easier to help you out.

J

 

i already have the tank its a 125/w built in dual overflows, i wanted to try the acropora, and the stags. i was thinking mh's but thought there would be a cheaper route and something with less heat

 

Hey Kedron, try looking in Ebay. Since I dont know how wide your tank is, I'm just showing you some examples. Hope this helps, Luna.


48" 760W Metal Halide Aquarium Reef Light w/ FREE Ship</IMG>

72" 1134W Metal Halide Aquarium Reef Light w/ FREE Ship</IMG>

 

Amen! You can never go wrong with MH's and there will be nothing you can't keep under them.

 

Sometimes it has to do with the color and what you like as well as PAR and wattage etc.
The rippling effect evident with halides is really neat!!!