HQI vs T5

So heres the thing, I bought a system a couple years ago that has 2 250 w. Metal Halides and 4 65 w power compacts, This was cheap and it is Odysey. Well needless to say the lights didnt last very long and the Ballast blew up. I have a 48" 150 gal saltwater tank that is 27 inches deep. So I was thinking about maybe upgrading my ballasts to Icecap and upgrading my metal halides to a good brand and either changing the power compacts to T5 or keeping the PC. (stumped on what to do on that one) OR..... Should I spend less money and just get myself a nice 6-8 bulb T5 lighting system.... Help!!!!

 

I really don't think T5's will penetrate that deep. I may be wrong but I thought they were only good up to about 15".

 

manderson21

I use 6 x 80 watt T5s over a 5ft tank, with SPS top half and LPS (one now due to flow, not light) Zoanthids, shrooms etc in the lower half
tank is 20 inches deep

a 6 or 8 x T5 canopy will support corals, depending on type right to the sand bed in your tank IMO
placement is key, you dont want your SPS to low or your canopy raised to high
(I do not use the legs on my 6 lamp fixture, just to get that light closer to the corals)

if you have the light demanding corals like SPS in the upper half
and the less light demanding species below that line
in terms of lighting T5 will work for you (although flow and or chemical warfare sometimes makes reef tanks as described, a challenge)

with MH - its a no brainer, its a tried and trusted method of providing enough light for SPS clams etc - it penetrates deeper meaning you can have the light demanding SPS
right down to the base of your tank should you wish to

if heat is not an issue for you, MH is a proven light source
if heat is an issue, then T5 of the right type can work for you

Steve

 

I just made the switch from a really nice T5 retro setup to halides and my corals have never looked better. IMO, keep the PC's as actinics and get a pair of 400w (or 250's if you dont want SPS or clams near the bottom) 10k-14k halides with nice reflectors and call it a day.

~Will.

 

Yeah, I can't wait to get my corals under some MH/VHO instead of my T5's. If only money would come a little faster these days!