T5 vs METAL HALIDES

vt4lifecuf

vt4lifecuf

Member
I am confusing to choose between T-5 4x54 HO or metal halides from Hamilton Technology. My tank will be fish only with live rocks and maybe one or two corals for beginner. The total of T5 will be 216watt and MH will be 175watt at 14,000K to eliminate the need for fluorescent . Would the single MH will have enough light for the tank with two corals? or should i buy the T5 set up? What is the different between 175watt MH and 250watt MH
My current setup
90G
Naso Tang
Yellow Tang
Cleaner Wrasse
2 Green Chromis
Maroon Clown
Flameback Angel
Turbo Snails
Hermit crabs
Live rocks
Live sands
Nassauri snails
In the future:
Chaeto
Two beginner corals
 
D

dragonzim

Active Member
A single MH is not enough for a 90 gallon tank. The rule of thumb is that you need 1 light for every 2 feet of tank length. For what you are looking to keep though a T5 setup will probably be your better bet.
How long have you had that tank set up with those fish? The tangs, especially the Naso, are going to outgrow a 90.
 
zeroc

zeroc

Member
Originally Posted by DragonZim
A single MH is not enough for a 90 gallon tank. The rule of thumb is that you need 1 light for every 2 feet of tank length. For what you are looking to keep though a T5 setup will probably be your better bet.
How long have you had that tank set up with those fish? The tangs, especially the Naso, are going to outgrow a 90.
Agree, on both the lights and the tangs.
 
vt4lifecuf

vt4lifecuf

Member
i have run this tank over 3 yrs, and yes my naso tang is 6" in length. The naso have been in my tank since day. I'm a student so i can't afford to upgrade bigger tank :(. I only have about 50lbs of live rocks, the decorate style is like triangle in the middle tank where i will put my MH in the middle(if i end up buying it). I love this hobby but i don't have spare $.
 
wangotango

wangotango

Active Member
For the lighting issue. You should have a cross bar in the center of your tank, and putting a halide over it will cause a nasty shaddow. IMO either go for two halides, or a T5 setup. Check the classified section as there are usually people selling their old equipment for good prices.
You could probably take your naso to your LFS and exchange it for some other fish, like a few gobies, or some beginner corals. Although tangs do better in larger tanks, I don't think the yellow will be too much of an issue if you add a few more pounds of rock for algae.
-Justin
 
thangbom

thangbom

Active Member
i would simply get 2 48'' t5 retro if i where to do a fowlr.. if i where to do coral i would do 4 either 2 48'' t5 and 4 400 se mh... ( i just like 400 but 250 would work fine)
YzGyz
 
D

dragonzim

Active Member
Originally Posted by vt4lifecuf
what is the difference between VHO and T5 HO and PC?
They are completely different types of bulbslights.
 
thangbom

thangbom

Active Member
vho= very high output.. ( come in t8/t12 i think.. t and ## = size of bulb t8 maybe 3/4'' diam and t12 like 1 1/4.. i think.. not 100% )
t5 ho= t5 high output ( t5 = smaller bulb.. about 1/2 '' dia.)
pc = power compact... all are flourecents but each have it's +/-..
of them all.. t5ho is the winner... you are probaly thinking.. the vho are Very High as oppose to just HO high output.. why is it not better?? well... t5 ho are better design... use less wattage and with good reflectors.. put out more par ( par or lux = usuable light in short)
pc's just pain suck compared..
t5's are only good with good reflectors.. IC slr are at the top.. then you work your way down to crappy stuff like nova...
YzGyz
 
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