T5s with MH supplementing???

First, I have tied to search, but the nature of "T5" does not lend well to a search. I scanned through the T5 Q&A thread, but is only bulb recommendations.

So... What is the equivalent conversion between T5 and MH. Watts/output?

When I look at fixtures, I want to know what ratio of T5 there is to MH.

Second... I want to light a 60x30x24. There are 4 or 6 foot fixtures, not many 5. I like MH, but might think about a higher ratio of T5 to MH. I was thinking of 2x24" fixtures like pendents (turned side ways), but with say 150w MH and 6 or 8 bulbs of T5. Not many fixtures out there like that, but I'm just thinking. My thinking is getting more of the benefits of T5, but still having the point source of MH.

Most fixtures are MH with a couple of T5 for supplements. I am looking for a combination fixture with a higher ratio of T5.

Any suggestions out there? What about DIY?

 

I have seen this question asked a lot, and there really is no answer . . . theres too many variables. A high quality halide will out preform crappy T5 lamps and vice versa, then you need to take in to account the reflectors. T5's max size is 60", a retro kit would work perfect over that size tank. you could fit 10 bulbs with some nice SLR's over a 30" wide tank giving you more light than you will know what to do with.

~Will.

 

there are some lights that have 2 t-5's then MH light tehn 2 more t-5's/ go to Pet Supplies | Dog & Cat Supplies, Pet Meds | DrsFosterSmith.com Pet Products and look in lighting. i love the shimmer affect of my MH.

 

I run a combo of MH and t5s. IMHO, the best tanks are lit by both of these light sources.

 

Ya, you are right... actually I need to clarify. I did read Dr.Frags very long and very good explanation of why there is no answer to that. Having said that....I still need an answer.

So I realize there is no direct correlation. T5 fixtures give what they do and people buy them. Same for MH fixtures. MH fixtures offer actinic supplement which MH do not make well. I was looking for more of a T5 fixture for main light source, but MH s as well for effect...which I really like.

Perhaps that does not make sense because bothe would not be used all the time and it would be harder to simulate the passing day. My halides now only run 6 hours for "high noon".

 

I would just use a 4 foot fixture if you wanted to go that way. It won't perfect, but it won't be bad. The best thing for you to do is a DIY light system with MH and T5s.

As for comparison, I believe T5s output about 1.8x as many lumens as MH. So very basically, a 216w T5 fixture will equal approximately 500w of MH. But, this doesn't mean much when what really matters is the PAR value. The wattage, bulb and ballast brand all play vital roles in what the PAR will be. So, I'm still not exactly sure what you want to do. If you want to primarily use T5s with MHs on for a little bit, then the best thing you can do is do a retro fit kit and time the MHs for what you want.

 

Most MH fixtures run 2x54w or 2x80w depending. So if I say have 2x250w MH for 500w and 160w of T5... well what is the ratio I'm looking at?

We can't go by watts, so what percentage of light energy is coming from MH and T5? That is really what I'm looking at. If I want to use a higher percentage of T5 for the benefits of that, then how much do I need, or how much is MH accounting for?

Say I want 2x150 MH, or 1x250w MH pendant for effect, well how much T5 will I need for a SPS tank. Say a 60x30x24.

 

It's hard to mix and match fixtures to use like pendants. What would be great is a 4 foot fixture with a 250w MH in the center, and 6x54w T5s on the sides. Or even a 5 foot fixture with 4x80w T5. That would be cool, but there are none out there.

Let me ask another question, in such a fixture as above, would the heat from the MH be detrimental to the T5s?

 

Well, my 62x 30x24 tank is lit by 2x250 of xm 10000k halides with 2x54 of ATI B+ at the moment. I am taking the 4 footers off, and I have 4x80 of ATI B+ bulbs that i need to get 2 new ballasts for.

That might be a tad too blue, but I might swap 1 maybe 2 bulbs for a KX fiji purple, and maybe a geisseman actinic +

 

Powerman, if you want primary T5 light with the point source(shimmer) of halide, then do a Retro with LEDs for shimmer... In my eyes if you want the T5 dominance but what to "supplement" with MH I would do just T5... Think about it, you will now have to ger pendants, lamps and ballasts for something you would be considering "supplemental". There is many little add on LED units or strips that would provide the shimmer but at much less cost and much less heat and WAY less energy consumption. Constellation will be coming out with LEDs soon, but I can't remember if Tom said if was for shimmer or for moonlights, pretty sure he said shimmer...
BUT the Constellation only comes in 4 and 6' units.... ATI has a bunch of 5'ers but at that price I personally would do a retro. Especially since on your tank I would like to cram 10 or heck even 12 lamps over it.... 10 would be more than sufficient but if you want to have superb coverage and the ability to have never ending color options 12 will be the limit... But you would want to go with Aquactinics' SLRs.

Personally I wouls do the Aquactinics' SLRs on your tank and heck even when I replace mine I will pay more for the 2 36"ers I will need to buy to make a 60"er than a competing brand... Sounds silly but I love the 2" wide aspect and the fact that Aquactinics seems to drive light and PAR farther down the tank than anyother SLR.

T5 while not necessarily having more lumen output as MH or sometimes PAR the fact that the coverage is much more blanket, even if a coral is getting less PAR when you test it, than say MH, over the course of the day or its life it will be getting much more PAR from the fact that is more surrounded... If that makes sense.. Also T5 casts less shadows and is less affected by refraction...

To answer your question as to how many watts of T5 equal how many watts of MH? Too many people have asked that, not enough people have tested and quite frankly there is too many variables.... Reflectors, ballasts, brands of lamps, temperature of lamps, and so on..

To answer your question about lighting, I would long story short vote for all T5 retro with power strip LEDS for the shimmer or moon light.

Good luck