MH T5 combo, LED T5 combo, or T5

JOKER · Jan 27, 2016

Which would you choose? Getting ready to order some lighting for a 84" tank and still undecided. I know I plan a 72" light. This will be for sps dominant mixed reef.

Ryengoth · Jan 27, 2016

Budget? That narrows or broadens your options based on the quality of the materials.

JOKER · Jan 28, 2016

Well budget would be around 2000 or close. I can push that up a little if needed. I was leaning towards the Hamilton Cebu sun fixture with 3 250 MH, but I am not completely sold on it at the moment. Looked into kessil with T5 also, but I want whats best for the coral in the long run so I can save up more money if needed. I have a rapid led setup I could light the tank with if needed until I have enough for the final light. I am in no rush on this tank. It is about 3 weeks from delivery. I have everything else needed at the moment except for plumbing.

hybridazn · Jan 28, 2016

Can't go wrong with the Hamilton fixture. Is retro fit out of the question?

JOKER · Jan 28, 2016

Not at all, but I am planning a floating canopy and want to hide the fixtures.

hybridazn · Jan 28, 2016

How wide will the tank be?

JOKER · Jan 28, 2016

24" wide 16" deep 84" long. I do plan to stay within a 72" fixture at max so I can keep lower light coral also. Thinking 60" T5 like the Hamilton uses for bulb choices.

hybridazn · Jan 28, 2016

I'm a halide lover so I recommend the hamilton. But I also know that leds most def work. But leds could push you over your budget if you went radions (which I would recommend)

timkenagy · Jan 28, 2016

You crazy?!?! This is the type of question that starts wars!

But in all honesty I've had great success with all 3 and combinations of the 3. So in all reality it's more a preference than which is better.. And I know people that will disagree strongly with that statement but meh, I can say with certainty they all work because I've used all of them. My preference is LEDs for several reasons.. You can dial in the spectrum. I hate paying the power company.. And I'm pretty forgetful on getting a good schedule down on changing bulbs, therefore the corals go through intensity and spectrum changes from the actual bulbs life running out. With LEDs I can just hang them and I know I'm good. I currently have Rapid Onyx LEDs.. And I also run a 1 bulb ATI coral plus bulb because I love that tint it gives the corals.

JOKER · Jan 28, 2016

I have ran LED only, T5 LED combo and I will say I am happier with the T5 LED combo. I also ran a 6 bulb T5 only on a system that was LED after moving tank and was much happier with the T5 supplements.. I have never ran MH so I cant speak for it.

Drauka99 · Jan 28, 2016

If heat is no issue then the MH and T5 combo is hard to beat. If heat is a concern then LED and T-5 is the next best IMHO. I am currently running LED only and am adding T5 supplements.

JOKER · Jan 31, 2016

I don't think heat will be an issue with the floating canopy, and with tank depth of 16" I plan to run the lights a little high too.

Sabellafella · Jan 31, 2016

JOKER said:
Which would you choose? Getting ready to order some lighting for a 84" tank and still undecided. I know I plan a 72" light. This will be for sps dominant mixed reef.

Dude all 3 , 250s with t5s and reefbrites

Sabellafella · Jan 31, 2016

At some point your going to windup doing it if you go with mh so why not now

Pete polyp · Jan 31, 2016

I have a 36" cebu sun with 2x250+4x39w. The fixture is good but the I'm disappointed in the reflector. If you could go retro fit with lumenbright reflectors you will get way more output and be able to raise the lights to reduce heat.

JOKER · Jan 31, 2016

I may add some reef bright or stunner. I will look into the retro with lumenbright.

2xal · Jan 31, 2016

Full disclaimer I have not invested the proper $$ to get a legitimate well reviewed LED fixture, but I can say that my T5/MH combo fixture I had was the best for coral growth.

nervousmonkey · Jan 31, 2016

Sabellafella said:
At some point your going to windup doing it if you go with mh so why not now

+1 to this. Might as well add some reefbrites. Would help color it up. MH and T5 will definitely work for you. LED will just make it fun.

d2mini · Jan 31, 2016

My 200 was running the 72" Cebu Sun with a 72" BML Super Actinic attached to the front of it. Best of all three.

FL_Reefer · Jan 31, 2016

Go with the Hamilton and add a reefbright or 2. I run a 24'' over my cube with a reefbright XHO and its hands down the best combo of lighting that I have ever ran.