Metal Halide (HQI) vs. T5

[The Saltwater Kid]

Which do you think is best and why? I have a 150w HQI right now but have seen some pretty amazing looking tanks running T5's and just wondered if it would be worth it to switch. Besides the heat issue what else are the pros/cons? Would T5's be cheaper to run as far as electric bills are concerned (if so, how much more wattage of T5 lighting could you have compared to HQI lighting and still run about the same as far as energy consumption)? What is the bulb life expectancy of a T5? The only drawbacks I can see by going with T5's is A.) you have a lot more bulbs to replace once their life is gone and B.) you won't have the "shimmer" effect of the halide. As far as corals are concerned I've gotten rid of my SPS and am concentrating on zoas/palys, ricordeas/yumas, acans and a few chalices.

 

[TopNotchCorals]

Which do you think is best and why? I have a 150w HQI right now but have seen some pretty amazing looking tanks running T5's and just wondered if it would be worth it to switch. Besides the heat issue what else are the pros/cons? Would T5's be cheaper to run as far as electric bills are concerned (if so, how much more wattage of T5 lighting could you have compared to HQI lighting and still run about the same as far as energy consumption)? What is the bulb life expectancy of a T5? The only drawbacks I can see by going with T5's is A.) you have a lot more bulbs to replace once their life is gone and B.) you won't have the "shimmer" effect of the halide. As far as corals are concerned I've gotten rid of my SPS and am concentrating on zoas/palys, ricordeas/yumas, acans and a few chalices.

I was gonna say that I lost the colored hues from my sps with T5's but since your getting rid of your sps that wont be a problem for you,I think LPS benefit the most from T5 lighting.As far as cost on wattage and T5 bulb changes it depends on how many bulbs in your T5 fixture.

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

I was looking at the Tek fixtures...I found a 4 x 39w fixture for $225 and a 6 x 39w fixture for $250. I know decent ATI t% bulbs cost around $18 - 20 each so that would be $80 - $120 per full set bulb replacement which is more than I'm paying replacing a single HQI bulb right now.

 

[TopNotchCorals]

I was looking at the Tek fixtures...I found a 4 x 39w fixture for $225 and a 6 x 39w fixture for $250. I know decent ATI t% bulbs cost around $18 - 20 each so that would be $80 - $120 per full set bulb replacement which is more than I'm paying replacing a single HQI bulb right now.

If your replacing a 150w hqi then there wont be much of a difference in money savings but you can always add a T5 retro fit to you existing 150w hqi for more color popping

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

Unfortunately I can't do that, my HQI is a Sunpod fixture which is all enclosed.

 

[TopNotchCorals]

Unfortunately I can't do that, my HQI is a Sunpod fixture which is all enclosed.

Anything is possible my friendA little DIY work and ba bam you have what you want.What are your tank dimensions??No canopy??

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

No canopy. I am actually upgrading from a Biocube 29g to a 40g breeder but as of now only have my 20" 150w Sunpod for a light and i believe that will be stretched to it's limits and beyond trying to light a 36" tank but the shoe really pinches is I'm VERY low on cash these days with our 1st baby on the way.

 

[DBarsotti]

both my friends retro fitted t-5's onto their sunpod fixtures, it was simple and looks great.

 

[clowns101]

Im running some and MH and even some T5's on the same tank.However,Im almost done with both.Even though t5 have cheaper bulbs you have to buy more to compare to the out put of MH.So higher cost.When you buy bulbs for MH its expencive and has to be done every 9-12 months.So my suggestion is to switch over to LED's.Im getting ready to go all LED.Think about it:

1)Never have to replace bulbs!
2)Almost ZERO power consumption
3)They are known to grow corals very well and have good color
4)More colors can be added other than Blue and White,like lower nmof Blues and even some red LED's
5)LED's hit a certian spectrum of light that is hard to hit with T5 and MH.

Just a few things to think about.If you want to get some go for it if not,do MH.Im not fond of the Pastel look t5s give my corals.I do however,use t5's for supp lighting,to allow me to hit diffirent spectrums that cant be done with MH.

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

I would LOVE to go LED as I think they are the future of aquarium lighting but...until the astronomical prices come down I won't be switching over yet. I know once you buy them they will pay for themselves in energy and bulb savings in about 4 years but the initial $500+ is the thing my wallet just can't afford right now...especially with a baby on the way.

 

[clowns101]

I under stand,but It wont be $500 for a 40 gallon.I would think you could get away with 24-36 LED's depending on what you want to keep.Which you can get a kit for around $300.COuld sell your 150 MH and help pay for it!