T5 lights better an MH? PLEASE COMMENT on these two!

[soondubu]

am looking into getting a light system for my 60 gallon tank...
with corals and clams, etc in the future.
figure i don't want to keep adding new lights later and want to start with the correct set up.
i think these prices are pretty good considering all the bells and whistles, no?
comments appreciated!
VHO mh combo hood and moonlights
The t5 light system with comparable wattage..

 

[tung]

:happyfish for what i understand, Metal Halide is the best for coral. The different between Metal Halide and T-5 is MH can provide more concentrated light/energy in one spot where T-5 couldn't do. Even with the same watt but you need to consider how much energy will lost during the lights working. Metal halide and VHO is the most powerful combination i think. VHO will light on the "dead spot" where metal halide can't go. But you got to consider the heat issue though!
Hope this will help

 

[viet-tin]

WPG rule isnt good to go by. Light intensity is what matters. example is 13 watts on a .75 gallon would equal the same WPG as 1300 watts on a 75 gallon. However, there are some things that can live under the 1300 watts, but not on the 13 watts. something i learned from viper. So the mh will be the best way to go

 

[soondubu]

so you figure about $700 for a decent mh vho setup in a nice package with a fan and moon lights are a good price?

 

[flatzboy]

Originally posted by tung
:happyfish for what i understand, Metal Halide is the best for coral. The different between Metal Halide and T-5 is MH can provide more concentrated light/energy in one spot where T-5 couldn't do. Even with the same watt but you need to consider how much energy will lost during the lights working. Metal halide and VHO is the most powerful combination i think. VHO will light on the "dead spot" where metal halide can't go. But you got to consider the heat issue though!
Hope this will help

You shouldn't have any dead spots with metal halides if you have 1 mh for every 2 ft.. Vho is not to light up dead spots it is called supplement lighting. It helps add actinic lighting to your tank so it isn't so yellow from the mh's.

 

[autopilot]

I bought my T5s from that same seller on ---- except mine have 6 54 watt bulbs. They are great lights and a good seller, one of my bulbs was broken on shipment and they didn't ask any questions when I told them and quickly sent a replacement.

 

[eg_hatch]

I would go with the metal halides, youll get better and faster growth, and, if youre interested in keeping sps corals and clams later, youll be able to do so with the RIGHT amount of lighting.