Can't decide T5 or MH for Zoa's - Help?!!!!

[mikee68]

Ok, So I'm starting my 100g zoa dominant tank with maybe a couple of SPS. I can't decide on lighting for the tank. Tank is 48x24x20. I have a new 8x54w T5 fixture and I also have my old used PFO 48" fixture with 150w hqi's and vho's. Which would you use and why? Which would produce the best colors and growth? Please help me decide, Thanks

 

[Reefltx]

Ok, So I'm starting my 100g zoa dominant tank with maybe a couple of SPS. I can't decide on lighting for the tank. Tank is 48x24x20. I have a new 8x54w T5 fixture and I also have my old used PFO 48" fixture with 150w hqi's and vho's. Which would you use and why? Which would produce the best colors and growth? Please help me decide, Thanks

Use the T5. I bought some red and orange zoas from a local reefer, he ran MH. The colors were good but in my tank, it's insane. I run t5s and have no experience with MH.

 

[Aquaph8]

I vote T5. With all the bulb combos available you can make those zoa's really pop.

 

[skinz78]

I agree T5's! I just shot this pic of my 120g with 6 4' ATI bulbs, 3 Aquablue Special and 3 Blue Plus. Although you can't see them in the pic I have tons of Zoa's in there, some on the top rocks too.

%

 

[toyencounters]

I like T5 lights they make your corals really stand out!

 

[iReefer]

T5 would be best. Totally agreed with others about light bulb colors combination

 

[FishLipz]

T5 all the way. Much more control over color by switching bulbs

 

[Akwarius]

Gotta go against the grain on this one. I've experimented with keeping zoas under led, t5, and mh over the past couple of years and mh is the best for zoa health. Polyps are large and fast growing. IME, you can keep 99% of known zoa morphs under mh, 85% under t5, and 70% under led. Unfortunately, mh is the least efficient of the three. This is my opinion and completely anecdotal, but most people on here know me for my zoas.

 

[kuyatwo]

I ran reefbrite all blue LEDs with my ati t5 powermodule and loved it gave me the "black light" for the zoas when the reffbrites were on and the growth with the t5's

 

[mikee68]

Thanks for all the replies. Seems like T5 will be the choice. I can always try the PFO unit if I start to dislike the T5 set-up.

 

[jarred1]

I like halide supplemented with LEDs!

 

[mfinn]

I have always been a mh guy. Just found it hard to beat the look of 20k Radium bulbs with a 454 VHO on zoanthids.
But I just started a new tank and picked up a 6 x 24 watt ATI T5 and I am really liking what I see in it.

 

[bct15]

I like my halides, I seem to have triple the growth speed on zoas and sps when im running halides supplemented with t5s and everything is colored up real nice. Plus, the shadowing around my rockwork looks way better using mh's, t5's alone seem to eliminate all shadows and make everything sort of look the same color. Everyone has their preferences though.

 

[mikee68]

I'm just afraid of setting up the T5 fixture and thinking my colors are cool. But missing out on what my 150w hqi could be doing for Zoa's. My brother just offered me his extra 250w pendents w radiums as another option. ****, what to do?!!!!

 

[lps1212]

Its a tough one to call it comes down to personal preference imo I personally am going with an ati 8bulb pm with leds gonna try it out and see how I like it if not I will probably do 250w mh with 2 t5 actinics as my back up

 

[ddiver]

I've found that I can color up polyps best with halides and supplemental t5s.