Ok.. need some inputs on the light

[pelagic]

I am thinking the following options

1. 2x LEP + 4x T5
2. 2x LEP + Royal Blue/Blue LED
3. 2x 400w MH + 4x T5
4. 2x 400w MH + Royal Blue/Blue LED


I haven't yet seen the obious reason I should choose LEP over MH other than
1. Less heat
2. brigter
3. More efficent (??.. don't know about that)
4. Longer life span..

but it's a lot more expensive..

 

[bknapp]

MH and T5 combo is 100% proven to grow coral and have good color. But the costs to run and replace bulbs isn't much fun.

I do not know enough about the LEP lighting to comment on that.

 

[fireman23]

U getting away from led

 

[pelagic]

U getting away from led

I don't know... just want to try something new... (or old)

 

[pelagic]

MH and T5 combo is 100% proven to grow coral and have good color. But the costs to run and replace bulbs isn't much fun.

I do not know enough about the LEP lighting to comment on that.

Yea, I agree 100%, I switched away couple years ago cause
1. I don't like to get sun burn.. lol
2. it's too much hassle to replace the bulbs
3. Save some money on the power bill for the bulbs and the chiller.

I do miss the growth I had, I also need to tweak my LED fixture to get the best result without killing the softies..

 

[bknapp]

I think 3-250 watt MH would have better coverage and lower PAR towards the sandbed which would be better for softies and the like as opposed to 2-400 watt MH.

 

[.AcroKiller.]

Im running 400 watt MH with lumensbright reflectors. Im still debating on adding true actinics t5 or go with two strips of 420 nm true violets to supplement

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[ToXIc]

Cheng what's the height of your tank?

Im running 400 watt MH with lumensbright reflectors. Im still debating on adding true actinics t5 or go with two strips of 420 nm true violets to supplement

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If you just want to supplement color. You should make two strips of LEDs with a 2:1 blue/white ratio.


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[.AcroKiller.]

Cheng what's the height of your tank?




If you just want to supplement color. You should make two strips of LEDs with a 2:1 blue/white ratio.


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White I dont know. Maybe all royal and a few 420 nm true violets and a few cyans

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[Dowtish]

First off. what type of plasma lighting are you even considering? who makes it? and has anyone used it for any length of time?

 

[SuperPro]

If it's a standard 240 it should be 24" tall. If that's the case I would use the 250w halide, only time I've ran 400's was on my 215 and it was 30" tall.

 

[pelagic]

my tank is 2' tall and the LEP I am thinking to use is Plasmalyte, they have different reflector design now. still not as good as some you see on MH but better.


it seems like people are prefer 2x250W 4xT5 option?

 

[ToXIc]

Because of your length. 3x250w.

But getting LEPs sounds awesome.
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[SuperPro]

That tank is 8' long I think so 4x250w unless you use huge reflectors.

 

[pelagic]

it's 6x2x2 actually. so 3x250w and 4xT5?

 

[pickupman66]

Cheng,

that is EXACTLY what I had on my 180. 3x 350 Mh and 4x 56 t-5. they were the 36" T-5 bulbs. did me very well till I swapped to LED.

 

[pelagic]

Bart.350w?

 

[Zef004]

Is this for a commercial tank or a display tank.

I would go LEDs and t5s for display

For commercial I would half 400w mh 22k up high like 15" or more with LEDs. This side for sps or high light corals.
And other half t5s with led or all LEDs for low light corals like softies and lps.
This is how my frag tank is set up.