Different types of lighting

[FL_Reefer]

So I'm setting up a new frag tank soon and weighing out my options for what type of lighting to go with. Currently i have MH lights with led actinic over my DT. I'm contemplating going with a T5 set up over the frag tank (can get a great deal on a T5 set up) but also thinking I may use the same combo as my DT. But then there's LED as well to chose from. Does anyone use different lighting set ups than they have over there DT for there frag set ups? If so, what's your combos you use and what's your experience with using different types of lighting on this set ups? Would you have done anything different?

 

[trido]

I have always tried to keep the same kind of lighting on the DT and the Frag tank but with a weaker fixture over the frag tank since its shallow. That way I can move corals back and forth without having to acclimate them.

 

[FL_Reefer]

That's what I was thinking as well. I do have a spare 250watt MH. The only issue is that I think it would be way overkill for a 40 gallon breeder.

 

[Pete polyp]

They all work.... I would go with the cheapest you can find. If you have a great deal on the t5 then why not? The plus to using t5 or mh is that you won't have to tinker with settings to make everything happy. Put good bulbs in it, plug it in and you're done.

 

[vic67]

I have a cheap LED fixture over a 20G long but it's a little bit of overkill even huge up high. I do like the look of the tank under it though. I also have 5 Par38s over my 75G; various colorx and wattages. I like LEDs bc of the lower wattage use and the longevity of the bulbs. And my Xenia grows much slower under the LEDs than it did with T5s.

 

[FL_Reefer]

They all work.... I would go with the cheapest you can find. If you have a great deal on the t5 then why not? The plus to using t5 or mh is that you won't have to tinker with settings to make everything happy. Put good bulbs in it, plug it in and you're done.

Very good point Pete, that's what I was thinking. Plus the guys got extra bulbs as well. Thanks bud

 

[FL_Reefer]

I have a cheap LED fixture over a 20G long but it's a little bit of overkill even huge up high. I do like the look of the tank under it though. I also have 5 Par38s over my 75G; various colorx and wattages. I like LEDs bc of the lower wattage use and the longevity of the bulbs. And my Xenia grows much slower under the LEDs than it did with T5s.

I think the LED is out for me. I do like the power consumption of the LED but have never ran a system with only LED lights.

 

[trido]

I used to have a 250 MH over my 40 breeder frag tank without issues. When I switched the bulbs on the display tank I would put one of the old weaker bulbs on the frag tank.

 

[FL_Reefer]

I used to have a 250 MH over my 40 breeder frag tank without issues. When I switched the bulbs on the display tank I would put one of the old weaker bulbs on the frag tank.

How high off the water did u keep it?

 

[trido]

The bulb was probably about 16" off the surface of the water.

 

[nickg]

I am makeing the plunge back to Halides and T5 from LED's...

 

[FL_Reefer]

I love my MH over my 220. If feel that I get great growth and color from them. In running 20k radium bulbs. I think in gonna give the T5 a shot just because I can get a great deal on the fixture and some bulbs for now. We will see

 

[ryecoon]

I love my MH over my 220. If feel that I get great growth and color from them. In running 20k radium bulbs. I think in gonna give the T5 a shot just because I can get a great deal on the fixture and some bulbs for now. We will see

Where do you go for good deals on T5s?

 

[FL_Reefer]

It's from a fellow reefer getting out of the hobby.

 

[ryecoon]

ahh gotcha