Lighting?

[mmstillwell01]

Hi I am looking into upgrading my lights on my 120gal reef tank right now I have a 48" Current USA SunDial T5 HO w/ Timers & LED on the tank I am looking into the metal halide lights but there are so meny should I go with one long unit or with two or three units?

my tank is 72" long.
or do I just buy a bigger T5 light fixture what is a good way to go?
Thanks for the help.

 

[meowzer]

I would go with one long unit...
Why do you only have a 48" light on your 72" tank (just curious)?

 

[mmstillwell01]

I upgraded from a 55gal to a 120gal tank and the 42" was on the 55gal.
one long MH or T-5?

 

[meowzer]

Originally Posted by mmstillwell01
http:///forum/post/3190233
I upgraded from a 55gal to a 120gal tank and the 42" was on the 55gal.
one long MH or T-5?
You can go T5HO as long as you get the right light (do not ask me a brand LOL)
There are quite a few people on here who keep everything under T5HO lights...(I just can't remember which ones)
I have a Sundial T5HO on my 29G.....Your tank is deeper, so IDK

 

[eyebedam]

I sure wish you lived closer to me. I have a like new 72in 3x250 MH & 8 39 watt T5 Current outer orbit set up im trying to sell now for 700.00 its less than 6 months old. Its a great system Ive just decided to get out of Corals & go aggresive.

 

[mmstillwell01]

Originally Posted by eyebedam
http:///forum/post/3190238
I sure wish you lived closer to me. I have a like new 72in 3x250 MH & 8 39 watt T5 Current outer orbit set up im trying to sell now for 700.00 its less than 6 months old. Its a great system Ive just decided to get out of Corals & go aggresive.
It would take $700.00 in gas money to go pick it up LOL

I thought about keeping my light I have now and adding two small metal Halide Pendants one on each side.
But I dont know if this would cause any problems or not.
my 120gal is only 1/2" deeper then my 55gal was, and the coral I have in the tank now is doing realy well.

 

[nycbob]

t5 or mh? it really depends on what corals or inverts u want to keep. t5 will give off less heat and is more energy efficient, when compared to 3 150w or
250w mh bulbs over a 72. over a 72, u r talking about either 4 or 6 t5 bulbs on each side. i personally like t5, but if u like the shimmering effect, then mh is the way to go.

 

[meowzer]

Originally Posted by eyebedam
http:///forum/post/3190238
I sure wish you lived closer to me. I have a like new 72in 3x250 MH & 8 39 watt T5 Current outer orbit set up im trying to sell now for 700.00 its less than 6 months old. Its a great system Ive just decided to get out of Corals & go aggresive.

Originally Posted by mmstillwell01
http:///forum/post/3190250
It would take $700.00 in gas money to go pick it up LOL

I thought about keeping my light I have now and adding two small metal Halide Pendants one on each side.
But I dont know if this would cause any problems or not.
my 120gal is only 1/2" deeper then my 55gal was, and the coral I have in the tank now is doing realy well.

You guys ought to check into shipping.....I shipped a 72" fixture to someone....price wasn't that bad...and I have the same light...I paid $1200 for it new.
So shipping it personally may be worth it....

 

[mmstillwell01]

I like the softies, zoo's things like that, I like the movement of them, the shimmering effect is nice but I dont need it.
I just want to make sure my corals are getting the lighting that they need.
If I do upgrade to a MH will that burn the coral that I already have in the tank that are used to the T-5 lighting?

 

[eyebedam]

I like the softies, zoo's things like that, I like the movement of them, the shimmering effect is nice but I dont need it.
I just want to make sure my corals are getting the lighting that they need.
If I do upgrade to a MH will that burn the coral that I already have in the tank that are used to the T-5 lighting?[/QUOTE]
It shouldnt, you may have to gradually get them used to the higher intensity lights over a couple week time period but the MH shimmer sure is nice.

 

[mmstillwell01]

It shouldnt, you may have to gradually get them used to the higher intensity lights over a couple week time period but the MH shimmer sure is nice.
How do I get them used to it?

 

[eyebedam]

Just shorten your light perioed & gradually increase the amount of light times over a couple of weeks. Some people will also use window screens to diffuse the light.