Arrgh! I can't decide...

[eagleone]

I need a little persuasion. I'm on the fence right now in regards to my lighting. I have a 150w halide and 2x24 T5s and I'm wondering if I should go all t5's or stay with my setup I have now. :angry:

This is for a SPS/LPS tank.

Hear are my thoughts why I should go to T5s.

1.) Heat- Not a fan with a small tank.
2.) Color selection is hasn't been the greatest. I've gone through 12k to 14k to 20ks. Haven't found one that's to my liking. T5s almost customizable.
3.) There's more an evenness as far as light spread.

Reason to stay the original
1.) More weighted on the coral coloration- There seems to be more of a depth in color with halides. Hard for me to explain.
2.) Don't have to change the setup- May be in the hobby for a little less than a year.
3.) more $$$ for corals. haha

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Jay

 

[ReeferBen]

I went all T5s awhile ago and like it. I started with 2 x 400 watt radiums and always had excess heat. I then changed that tank to 8 bulb tek fixture and never looked back. My corals had better color, better growth and a lot less heat for me to offset in the summer months. JMO

 

[slk55r]

why not leds

I went from halides to all T5s and then leds/T5 and now I"m testing all leds.

 

[Henry Bowman]

T5's ... when folks change over to them, they either love em or hate em. I have enjoyed having mine. I like the ability to tweak the color of the tank by changing lighting. Most of my T5 buddies like the ATI Blue + T5's with a GE Daylight and or a Figi Purple in the mix.

 

[xraided199]

honestly, this is EXACTLY where im at right now too. i have a 150w halide and i have been on fence about changing over to T5's completely. i don't have the mix like you, but after seeing two of my good friend's tanks that only have T5s on them, i can't say anything bad about them. i think the customization aspect is the best thing in the world, and i know my coral will love the change as well. its up to you, and im actually saving up for my fixture cuz i def am not financially stable by any means, but i know once i do get it, i'm gonna love it

 

[eagleone]

Thanks for the input guys!

I'm still on the fence. I would also hate spending a bunch of money on bulbs looking for that right combination to suits my taste. I hard to jump over because I have pretty good results with my MH and I don't want to regret my decision. Got to take risks I guess.

Does anyone have pictures of their tanks with T5s?

 

[pugbreath]

No pics but I love the look of my tank now with the T5s. However, I switched over July of last year and my growth has almost stopped. I had 250 MHs and I went with a Nova Extreme Pro fixture and changed out all the bulbs. Not that there is anything wrong with the Nova but if you go T5 go with a higher quanlity fixture.

 

[mpoletti]

Jay- just get an ATI and then when you think you are really happy with it, go pay a visit to Tim's and then stop by my house on the way back down hwy 50

 

[CHALICEKEEPER]

GO T5HO ALL THE WAY GREAT RESULTS FOR ME ANYWAY. LOVE IT HANDS DOWN HERE ARE SOME PICS I HAVE A CURRENT NOVA EXTREME 48" 8X54 WITH STOCK LIGHTS ON A 75GAL FIRST JUST BLUE SECOND ALL LIGHTS

 

[returnofsid]

All T5s!!! If you have a good coverage of T5 bulbs, with quality reflectors, you'll get MUCH better PAR, coloration and growth, than you are with 150W MH.

 

[eagleone]

Mark- haha great that would throw me over the fence again. Remember Peter Wong's tank... he had T5s and it was stunning!

I thought about the ATI but I figured since I already have a set of t5s anyway, I'd just get another set. Now if I can only sell my MH. I think things would be different if I didn't have a nano or a weird dimension. I think I overdue for a visit.

Thanks guys! Anymore pictures? Show me whatcha working with!