Option 1, 2 or 3? What'd you think?

[saltman1968]

Lighting decision:
90g RR bow (I have precisely 12 7/8 inches width at each end to work with and 47 1/2 L)
OPTIONS: (all three fit)
1: stick with my current T-5 4x54w TEK lights with individual reflectors
2: upgrade to a T-5 6 bulb x 54 w with individual reflectors
3: upgrade to a T-5 8 bulb x 54 w without individual reflectors
other options:
A: MH + 4 54w T-5 combo
B: 36" 8 bulb T-5 system with individual reflectors (do they make that?)
By the way, I am learning that fixture's advertise 48" but that is never the exact measurement: my current TEK lights are exactly: 46 7/8"
THANKS!

 

[coraljunky]

8x54 T5 or halide T5 combo

 

[ifirefight]

[QUOTE
A: MH + 4 54w T-5 combo
Dependes on what corals you want to grow...but IMO,,you cant go wrong with MHs.

 

[saltman1968]

Cant find 8x54 T-5s with ind. reflectors: does that matter?
between the 2: MH with 4x54 T-5s or the 8 bulb T-5...? which one?
How hot do the MH's get compared to the T-5s?
thanks!

 

[coraljunky]

Originally Posted by SALTman1968
http:///forum/post/2488708
Cant find 8x54 T-5s with ind. reflectors: does that matter?
between the 2: MH with 4x54 T-5s or the 8 bulb T-5...? which one?
How hot do the MH's get compared to the T-5s?
thanks!
I've seen 8x54 retros on bbay with individual reflectors. Halides are much hotter!!

 

[saltman1968]

MY LFS guys (who arent selling lighting, so they have no game here) tell me that MH's are going out and T-5's are just as efficient.
I was REALLY leaning toward MH combo...
I would like to keep LFS and some moderately challenging SPS
Issue is tank is DEEP (26")...do MH's light penetrate further?
thanks!!!

 

[saltman1968]

Problem with retros' with the ind. reflectors is that they are wide: each reflector is 2.5" wide.
I wouldn't be able to fit more than 5 or 6 considering the width of the tank...
thats the whole problem....
If I can fit 8 bulb unit (Nova Extreme) it does NOT have reflectors. Is it a better trade off to go MH combo that may fit? I am though worried about heat!
OR do I use a 6 bulb T-5 system....with reflectors. I read that the reflectors individual can boost efficiency by 300% vs. the single reflector at 99%

 

[coraljunky]

My 90g has several pieces of sps under T5's. I just keep them towards the top of the tank. My new 65g has 2x250 mh and 39w T5's-sps domoniated tank

 

[coraljunky]

This one is 47"L x 13"

 

[saltman1968]

CoralJ: thanks a lot for the pic! awesome set up.
This is the 8x54 retro you are talking about? I dont have a hood to attach it to...which is why I am looking at the fixtures with stand legs and why I am crazy over the exact length.
Issue I have is the hood is a "flex-plastic" type with two compartments on top. I cant attach any lighting to it. My tank can be seen at: "triple "w" oceanicsystems dot com backslash products (look for 90 gal bow).
thank a lot for talking about all this...

 

[jrthomas40]

option a with mh & t5

 

[coraljunky]

If you plan on keeping to top open without a canopy go with halide combo. Heat shouldnt be an issue.

 

[saltman1968]

Wife wants hood!

I think i will show her some photos of awesome corals and ask if she'll trade hood for better lights = awesome coral!!! likely I will loose

Maybe I will do MH combo and leave the "top" plastic pieces OFF, it'll still give a "covered" look from straight on view. I will pull off the top pieces tonight and ask Wife if she likes the way the tank looks, if she replies "what's different" I will have my answer!
By the way, with your last thread CJ, I think I there are now more MH combo votes...now to find one that may fit!