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Moonlightreef
Well-Known Member
i end up buying the fixture from home depot for $100 . its a 4x54w HO 95% reflector .
MH vs T5
- Thread starter Moonlightreef
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i end up buying the fixture from home depot for $100 . its a 4x54w HO 95% reflector .
IMO, and IME I think T5's are great for SPS color IF you like a pastel appearance. I do. I really haven't seen corals that don't look good under T5's. However, the bulbs are so **** expensive with a large tank and switching them out every 6 months. Ugh.
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Moonlightreef
Well-Known Member
Yes and no. For a small system, I whole heartily agree. For an 8 foot long tank you can run three luminarc reflectors and replace 3 $75 dollar bulbs yearly. Twelve Four foot t5 bubs at 40 bucks every six months is muy caro
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Moonlightreef
Well-Known Member
His tank is a standard 4' 55 gallon
Jonreefer
Valuable Member
$40 a bulb? and every 6 months? 
oh: dont know where you shop but 54w bulbs are usually around $20-25 each depending on the bulb. Every 6months as well are you over driving the crap out of them should last alot longer then that. Sounds like your getting ripped off. So did you factor in the amount of energy used in those 3 MH vs T5..I would take T5 or LED anyday of the week over a MH setup. I would never go back to them. Use way more electricity and generate so much **** heat
oh: dont know where you shop but 54w bulbs are usually around $20-25 each depending on the bulb. Every 6months as well are you over driving the crap out of them should last alot longer then that. Sounds like your getting ripped off. So did you factor in the amount of energy used in those 3 MH vs T5..I would take T5 or LED anyday of the week over a MH setup. I would never go back to them. Use way more electricity and generate so much **** heat
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Moonlightreef
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WOW, The prices have gone down since 2008! I exclusively used 48 inch Giesemann Powerchrome T5's. The Pure actinics are still $30. I'm glad to hear that you got yours so cheap. FWIW, when I had T5's on my tank, it ran much warmer than three 400 W MH with luminarc reflectors. Thats against dogma, but that's what I tended to see. Sorry about the highjack. Good luck with your progress!
Since you asked
Since you asked
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Moonlightreef
Well-Known Member
WOW, The prices have gone down since 2008! I exclusively used 48 inch Giesemann Powerchrome T5's. The Pure actinics are still $30. I'm glad to hear that you got yours so cheap. FWIW, when I had T5's on my tank, it ran much warmer than three 400 W MH with luminarc reflectors. Thats against dogma, but that's what I tended to see. Sorry about the highjack. Good luck with your progress!
Since you asked
im only a year in the hobby so you should know better , but wow thats my dream in your house
How old is the tank ?
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Moonlightreef
Well-Known Member
btw if you go T5 on your tank it would look so colorful . Its already 4th day im running the T5s and i can see color difference in the corals . My moni cap just start taking of on the growth 
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CountrySideCoral
Active Member
The tank looks great. I like metal halides but T5s seem to be able to grow and cover a tank much better. I have the icecap 8 bulb fixture over my 75 gallon, it have 2 t5-led tubes for moon lights, 5 blue+ and on aquablue special. Stick with the T5s they won't disappoint.
75 Euphyllia Dominated Reef Tank - D.O.B. - September 2, 2008
75 Euphyllia Dominated Reef Tank - D.O.B. - September 2, 2008
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Moonlightreef
Well-Known Member
Thank you . i noticed better coloration and growth this past 3 weeks with the T5s than my MH did . So for long time i will stick to T5s until i can afford Radios .
RafasReef
New Member
+1 on this selection I have a 48" teck 8 bulb fixture and I have this plus on one more purple+ and on more coral+ I don't have pictures sorry
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Moonlightreef
Well-Known Member
so far im happy with the colors maybe when its time to change them ill try this combo
