Reef Lighting

I currently got 4x65w PCs (2x actinic/2x 12k) , 2x20w T12 (2x 10k), and 8 Lunar LEDs.

I will be added either a couple white/blue LED strips or 2x54w T5 48" fixture in near future.

 

2 400 watt mh over my 150 gallon, 2 175 watt mh over my 75 gallon prop tank.

 

I have 3x 250 W MH's and 2 60" VHO atinics for my 150 being constructed as we speak

 

I use T5 because it has many nice features that appeal to me. Cooler running, longer lamp life, more spectrum blending capabilities, does a great job at creating "blue" while not sacrificing PAR.
Also I am running only 640watts on a 180 which if I ran MH and T5 just the MH would've been 750watts then add supplementals. Also my canopy would've had to been modd'ed to allow MH in there, and I saved a couple hundred $$ on setup....

And I like to prove people wrong that T5 can't light big tanks!!

 

I use VHOs. They were cheap to set up and I don't pay the electricity. I have been happy with their performance but I do plan on eventually to t5s w/ an icecap ballast.

 

No one uses powerbrite LED strips? they do give off a nice shimmering "somewhat" like a MH lamp does. I know someone with 4 LED strips and 2 t12 bulbs on a 35g tank. they are bright and penetrate the water well..

 

It is possible to get a shimmer effect with florescent lighting. Elevate the fixture about 5 or 6 inches above the water surface and have a power head pointed at the surface as well. I do this with 260 watts of PC lighting on my 55 gallon tank.

 

T-5HOs for the win!

 

yeah your right. but the shimmer doesnt go deep like a mh would right?

 

lol, its funny but its true, i have 2 tanks, one running halides and the other t5s and i say u cant beat the light flickering off everythig in the tank when u use halides, it adds so much more atmosphere and character to the tank