Do you have to have metal halide?

[fishy feet]

Hello I am fairly new to this. What is the deal with metal halide. Do you have to have them? A lot of the catalogs I get say that t5 lights are as good as mh, with less heat and less electricity. Does anyone know? So many people say different things t5's cost less I really can't afford those mh, I would try a retro kit but they make me kind of scared, you know water and electricity don't mix. any help out there?

 

[phelpz]

It really depends on what youre going to be putting in your tank.
I only have compact florecents on my tank, but I only have soft corals so I really dont need a metal halide.
What do you plan, or already have in your tank?

 

[spivey911]

SO when I hear Compact Flourescent is that the ones that come on the basic hood when you buy it? Im new to so just wondering bc thats all I have right now!

 

[big]

Welcome to the boards.

A few years back most would have said yes, you would need MH. But no longer is this true. The new T-5 lighting systems with individual reflectors can keep just about anything you would ever want. Without the need of a chiller that MH's need.
Fist issue to address though is what size tank?? Some of the smaller width tanks, less than about 36 inches will not give enough light with T-5's, just not high enough width for sufficient wattage.
A 48 inch tank 55's 75' and up T-5's work great.
Go to the Lighting section and read, read and read some more, it is all there.
Good Luck......... Warren

 

[scsinet]

+1 to Big.
T5 can almost always replace halide. The only exception is if the tank is very tall (over 30") as T5 cannot penetrate deep water as well.
I've said it before, I'll say it again... never buy PC lights. They are obsolete. They have a low up front cost but that "savings" is quickly wiped out by the high and frequent cost of replacement lamps. Invest in T5 if you don't want halide.

 

[phelpz]

Originally Posted by Spivey911
http:///forum/post/2504033
SO when I hear Compact Flourescent is that the ones that come on the basic hood when you buy it? Im new to so just wondering bc thats all I have right now!
usually it is what comes with tank set ups.

 

[scsinet]

Originally Posted by Spivey911
http:///forum/post/2504033
SO when I hear Compact Flourescent is that the ones that come on the basic hood when you buy it? Im new to so just wondering bc thats all I have right now!
PC is a "tight U-Shaped" lamp that has connectors on only one end.

 

[big]

Originally Posted by Spivey911
http:///forum/post/2504033
SO when I hear Compact Flourescent is that the ones that come on the basic hood when you buy it? Im new to so just wondering bc thats all I have right now!
No the one that can with the tank almost always is low output regular florescent lighting. They are not worth even attempting to keep corals etc with.........
Again look in the Lighting section here and read all you can withstand to soak in the info there... One thing is everyone has there own opinions on what is best..
Lighting is ( if one keeps corals) maybe the single biggest annual cost we incur. And just about the most important decision we make in choosing.

 

[fishy feet]

our 1 1/2 year old tan has a few anemones , a few hard corals but mostly soft. We just set up a new tank and would like to put everything in it. One guy said for anemones that you have to have metal halide. I don't know.

 

[1journeyman]

For the record, I have 4 250wt HQI (double ended halides) on my 180, and I don't run a chiller. I do have a window unit for AC in the room, and a large fan in the canopy.
I personally, like the "look" of HQI's a bit better, but more and more hobbyists are going with T5's and liking them.

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by fishy feet
http:///forum/post/2504067
our 1 1/2 year old tan has a few anemones , a few hard corals but mostly soft. We just set up a new tank and would like to put everything in it. One guy said for anemones that you have to have metal halide. I don't know.
Anemones are among the most needy inverts regarding light. So, everything said in this post applies to them.
In addition, you might want to carefully research anemones. Mixing species can be bad, and make sure you have prefilters on your pumps.

 

[lexluethar]

#3 RULE!!!!
I have a 150 HQI on my 30 gallon and I do not need to run a chiller. During the summer I have a small fan blow accross the surface of the water to keep it around 79.
I agree with the look, T5 and other types of lighting give more of an 'ellumination' look, meaning that the entire tank is bright, with MH you get more of the natural 'shimmering' look that you find in the ocean.

 

[fishy feet]

we have a 55 gallon that I have pcs on and a dual t5 light strip on, which has the anemones in it , one is a sebae and the other is a bubble tip. The new tank is a 85 gallon acrylic, 24 in. deep what would I need for it?

 

[perfectdark]

Originally Posted by fishy feet
http:///forum/post/2504085
we have a 55 gallon that I have pcs on and a dual t5 light strip on, which has the anemones in it , one is a sebae and the other is a bubble tip. The new tank is a 85 gallon acrylic, 24 in. deep what would I need for it?
Minimum 6 bulb fixture, individual reflectors HO-T5 lights.. preferably 8 bulb fixture with the same reflectors. JMO.