which light?

[alix2.0]

my dad and i are looking at lights for my new tank. im on a budget, but i dont want to half--- anything, so i can save up till i can afford the lights i want. we cant decide between MHs, (we already have a pendant with a 1000w horticulture bulb, its like 20 years old, so the bulb will need replaced, but could we use that somehow? my dad knows about ballasts and stuff, but i dont, so any info you might have on that...

) t5s, i have my eye on the Nova pro with like 8 bulbs, or my dad mentioned LEDs, which i know absolutely nothing about. what should i look at or consider? what is most worth what i will pay for it? thanks.

 

[wangotango]

Assuming that the pendant could hold up to the salwater I don't see why you couldn't use that. Two 250w bulbs would be more than enough for a 75gal (you could probably get away with 175w too).
I personally like T5 for the versatility. I only think the PRO comes in six-bulb versions which would be ok for the size thank if you're on a budget, but if you could squeeze out the extra cash you might be happier with something a little better. A retrofit is the best option if you have a canopy.
Don't even consider LEDs. Not worth the time, money, or frustration.
-Justin

 

[alix2.0]

alright. thanks for the info. like i said, i dont want to half--- it. i guess ill probably end up going with the MHs. hopefully we can figure out if we can use our pendant. the tank doesnt have a canopy.

 

[coral keeper]

If you can, I would just use the 1,000 watt MH. But get a new bulb and put it in the middle of the tank, I'm pretty sure it will so bright it will cover your entire tank. lol The bulb will probably cost like $100 or something like that.

 

[alix2.0]

Originally Posted by Coral Keeper
http:///forum/post/2945877
If you can, I would just use the 1,000 watt MH. But get a new bulb and put it in the middle of the tank, I'm pretty sure it will so bright it will cover your entire tank. lol The bulb will probably cost like $100 or something like that.
and?

 

[05xrunner]

id do T5..the Nova Extreme Pro with 6bulbs would be good..And then when you put even better bulbs in it you will have great color and best part they make like NO heat and use less power. I will never go back to MH after going with T5's this time

 

[coral keeper]

Originally Posted by alix2.0
http:///forum/post/2946213
and?
You'll save a ton of money and you'll be able to keep anything you want.

 

[alix2.0]

isnt 1000 watts of MH over a 75 a little overkill? should i go with a lesser wattage? can i even do that with MH? i dont want to have to buy a chiller. and ill probably need to buy a new ballast. we have one but its as old as the light is.

 

[coral keeper]

Originally Posted by alix2.0
http:///forum/post/2946238
isnt 1000 watts of MH over a 75 a little overkill? should i go with a lesser wattage? can i even do that with MH? i dont want to have to buy a chiller. and ill probably need to buy a new ballast. we have one but its as old as the light is.
Yeah, it might be a little overkill, but I've seen people with two 1,000 watt MH over a 120 gallon. So, I don't think its really an overkill. If its working fine, just get a new bulb? You'll save a ton of money. lol

 

[05xrunner]

1000 watts on anything but like 500g is STUPID..your going to have SOOO much heat..SOOO much evap its pretty much 100% WASTE of electricity that is not needed. The amount of power you will use that is not needed will cost as much as the Nova bulb in no time..and it will NOT save you money at all...Go with the Nova Extreme Pro 6bulb..with the individual reflectors..trust me..Once you get T5's and then swap the stock bulbs out down the road with some good ATI bulbs you will wonder why you even thought of a MH light

 

[alix2.0]

Originally Posted by 05xrunner
http:///forum/post/2946284
1000 watts on anything but like 500g is STUPID..your going to have SOOO much heat..SOOO much evap its pretty much 100% WASTE of electricity that is not needed. The amount of power you will use that is not needed will cost as much as the Nova bulb in no time..and it will NOT save you money at all...Go with the Nova Extreme Pro 6bulb..with the individual reflectors..trust me..Once you get T5's and then swap the stock bulbs out down the road with some good ATI bulbs you will wonder why you even thought of a MH light
ok thank you someone that sgrees with me. so the pro will work fine?

 

[05xrunner]

yes..it will be plenty of light

 

[alix2.0]

sweet.

 

[jmac10]

has anyone heard or used this brand of t5 katana?i have 180 g fish tank and was thinking of purchasing a 72" katana t5.

 

[wangotango]

Originally Posted by jmac10
http:///forum/post/2960606
has anyone heard or used this brand of t5 katana?i have 180 g fish tank and was thinking of purchasing a 72" katana t5.
I've heard of Catalina, but not Katana. Generally the "off-brand" stuff isn't made with the quality that you would find in an ATI, Aquactinics, or TEK fixture, and on a 180 you're going to need to power.
-Justin

 

[jmac10]

Originally Posted by WangoTango
http:///forum/post/2960639
I've heard of Catalina, but not Katana. Generally the "off-brand" stuff isn't made with the quality that you would find in an ATI, Aquactinics, or TEK fixture, and on a 180 you're going to need to power.
-Justin
thanks for the info ,guess i'm gonna need to save more money then