T5s vs MH

spsmike

spsmike

Member
Hello everyone, I am wondering if anyone can tell me the differences between mh and T5s.I was reading an article on T5s and im about to set up a ten gallon with sps and clams, but want to use the right lighting.
Heres a link to what I was reading:
Edit: Link was in violation of policy.
 
benj2112

benj2112

Member
I have only read about people using T-5s (instead of VHO or PC bulbs) in conjunction with Mh.
Maybe dumb question, but sps and clams in a 10 gallon?
 
golfish

golfish

Active Member
Basically T-5's are PC'sVHO's what makes them a little better is the reflectors they use, plus you can squeeze a lot of them in a small area. They are NOT even cloes to MH's...when it comes to lighting.
I agree, clams and sps in a 10 gals tank:confused: Bad things happen real fast in small tanks.
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
My opinion of the T5 lighting is about the same as mentioned above...it is very much like VHO and/or PC lighting. Just smaller and more compact for use in tight situations. It seems a lot of hobbyists use T5's with success...but I'd be cautious about installing T5's in a nano with hopes of SPS and clams....:thinking:
By the way...the link you provided did have some good reference material and was well presented...but...that link also provided links to numerous on-line retailers and hobby related forums. Policy here is that links of that nature are not allowed. Hope you understand and don't take it wrong.
 
S

shouse

Guest
i've heard that T5's were a completely redesigned than PC's and VHO"s, source is from a lighting engineer.
He thinks i should do T5's over MH b/c they have just as high of lumens, more light output for the amount of wattage(saves money) and doesnt get as hot. But he doesnt really know what makes corals grow so it's hard to say.
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member
Bottom line is T5's are just high output fluorescents. I think they have earned their place in the reefing world but not as a replacement for MHs.
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member
btw, Lumens does not mean much in this hobby... I would like to see where this information came from though. I would have thought watt for watt MHs would produce more lumens than T5s.
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member
I'm not sure what you were reading but I never asked for "proof".
I said "How about some pictures of all this "proof"??"
to this "T5 provide more light at the sandbed 18.5 below the surface" which still has not been confirmend...
Common sense tells us there is more than one way to "skin a cat" or run a reef.
With the -- tank of the month... that is a very nice tank. He also has some very interesting points about using T5s.
"One of the keys to getting good results with T5 bulbs, I believe, is to keep your SPS no more than 18" from the light source. For intensely colored SPS (i.e. reds, blues, pinks, neon yellows), I keep them less than 10" away."
So, IMO they DO NOT compare to MHs...
 
saltaddict

saltaddict

Member
Reefnut
Reason I posted was your quote "Bottom line is T5's are just high output fluorescents. I think they have earned their place in the reefing world but not as a replacement for MHs.
".
I understand this is your opinion and many other hobbiest share this opinion including myself about 6 months ago.
But when putting together my latest tank I spoke to a felow who had gone the T5 route and I decided that the benifits over MH was enough for me to give it a try. I could not be more happy with my setup. I just want others to know that MH can be replaced for the right application with T5.
:)
 
golfish

golfish

Active Member

Originally posted by saltaddict
I decided that the benifits over MH was enough for me to give it a try.
:)
Might I ask what the benifits are over MH's ?
 
saltaddict

saltaddict

Member
Several in my case because I have 125G tank I needed 3 MH to cover the length . I am currently running 600W of T5 instead. Bulbs cost me $28 or roughly $180 every 12 to 18 months . I might be wrong but I belive MH bulbs will run you about an average of $80 or $240 every 9 - 12 months.
Much less heat if you have an enclose canopy and I do .
Less heat no need for to buy a chiller to keep things cooler in the summer.
Also some on this board have posted more par than say 150W MH. I have yet to verify this is true but I would not doubt it since I have taken browned out SPS have colored up very well and and showing very good growth I tend to believe that it could be true.
 
golfish

golfish

Active Member

Originally posted by saltaddict
Several in my case because I have 125G tank I needed 3 MH to cover the length . I am currently running 600W of T5 instead. Bulbs cost me $28 or roughly $180 every 12 to 18 months . I might be wrong but I belive MH bulbs will run you about an average of $80 or $240 every 9 - 12 months.
Much less heat if you have an enclose canopy and I do .
Less heat no need for to buy a chiller to keep things cooler in the summer.
Also some on this board have posted more par than say 150W MH. I have yet to verify this is true but I would not doubt it since I have taken browned out SPS have colored up very well and and showing very good growth I tend to believe that it could be true.
What makes you think T-5's will last 18 months? This is the same old BS that started when PC's hit the hobby 6-7 years ago. Every single argument is the same.. Their fluorescents with a good built in refelctor, whey would they last 3x longer then PC's and VHO's confused:
 
saltaddict

saltaddict

Member
What makes you think this is BS and they don't? What evidence or facts or research do you have please share?
Let's take for the sake of argument that you are correct and they are good for 12 only months same as MH in my situation they still save me $60 a year in bulbs .
 
saltaddict

saltaddict

Member
Googeld T5 Aquarium bulb life. I Found many links none agree with your take on bulb life. What I found were quotes such as this
" Notes: T5 fluorescent bulbs have a rated life of several years, however the lumens (amount of light) decrease and the color spectrum deteriorate before the eye can detect any changes. In order to maintain the health of your tank inhabitants, experts recommend changing the daylight bulbs (ATI Sun & GE 6500K) every 24 months and the blue, actinic, and full-spectrum bulbs (ATI Blue, ATI 03, and ATI Aqua) tubes every 14-18 months. If you overdrive the bulbs (push more watts through them than normal) by using an Ice Cap or Workhorse ballast, it is recommended that you replace the bulbs on a more frequent schedule.
"
Please direct me to information which disputes this?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I'm not totally convinced on the theory of replacing MH with T5's????I think the theory of having an enclosed hood is bogus and to help out with the heat why not vent the hood???? Saltaddict do you have any pics of your tank with the T5's lighting it comparing it to MH??? I'm considering using them for supplemental lighting 03 for my new setup though!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top