If total wattage is equal to metal halide is it ok for hard coral?

i have enough T-5 lighting total watts that equal a little less than 250 watts is that ok still for hard coral

 

?????

 

More or less I'd say so. There are PAR issues and penetration issues. A single bulb at 250w will get a deeper penetration than 5 50w bulbs. Also, the higher (blue) end of the spectrum will be stronger relative to the reds and yellows from a single source.

I looked into T5's when I set up my reef, and aside from cost and bulb life they seem to work fine for most corals. The fact that they can be placed closer also helps, and they don't get as hot...

I would say the main concern for corals would be penetration. If you have any thing that needs tons of light keep them in the upper half of the tank.

that and you don't get the sparkle you get with HID lamps.

 

MH's put out a more concentrated beam of light which is better for your hard corals where as t5 will have a more even spread.

the MH will penetrate the water deeper which is needed if you have a deep tank, if you only have a shallower tank then t5 are fine

if you are tossing up the 2 types then try like many other reefers with the MH and a few t5 as substitutes

MH run hotter and only have one bulb that would need replacing
where as the t5 will run cooler but you would have to change multiple bulbs

in the end it comes down to what kind of reef you are trying to keep and the look you are going for.

hope this helps and good luck with the lighting

 

I have less WPG with T5 as comparable MH setups and get good penetration(KEEP IT CLEAN!) as I have a 24" deep tank. With T5 having a more complete coverage with less shaded spots some corals get TOO much like as compared to MH even with LESS wattage. MH light is more concentrated and the light particles are usually "vertical" for lack of a better word whereas T5 light is more chaotic which will in turn give corals more PAR actually than its MH counter part. I would say if you had a 250w MH lamp as compared to 250w of T5 with good reflectors and lamps the T5 tank would most likely have more PAR THROUGHOUT the tank...

Other thing to consider is you DO need to replace more lamps with T5 but they last longer and are cheaper. A typical MH lamp will be replaced 8-10 months whereas T5 you can get 12-18months depending on lamp and cooling.

T5 also gives you more blending capabilities. And at least to many heat is a big deal, as my area is hitting mid 90's today and I am not worried about the tank getting too hot even without running the AC or having a chiller.

The age of only MH is slowly fading....

 

As these are great and valid points, I disagree on the time frame of the life span of the MH bulbs. When I buy good bulbs, they get changed out every 12 months or so. The cheap bulbs are the ones that get changed out every 8-10 months. In fact, I know some ppl who have had thier MH bulbs for a year and a half with no ill effects. It also depends on which kind of corals you have.


Luna

 

I agree with the trend of answers here. If you are trying to choose between MH and T5 get the T5's because the flexibility is better. Its is better not to choose though and get a fixture that runs both. Best of both worlds. I dont think MH onlny tanks look that great but nothing looks better than a MH and florescent tank.

 

true that!

 

ok so now im thinking of getting a pendent 250w MH and mix 2 55w compact florescent i already have then i can make a diy chiller out of a mini fridge how does that sound

 

I would skip the PC and run 2x54w T5. It will be more efficient, more powerful and you will change lamps less..