Switching from MH to T5

3l3ments · Oct 29, 2016

My current set up is a 80breeder sps tank 48x24x16. I have 2 reefbright 250w with led strips over it was thinking about switching to an 6 bulb ATI fixture. How do you guys feel about it? What are some Pro's and Con's about switching to T5's. I don't mind buying bulbs. Also what bulb color would you suggest running?

Thank you
Taylor

Nano101 · Oct 29, 2016

T5HO are great. I. had an 8 blulb current unit on my 75g (overpowered). I used 4 actinic, two purple, a pink, and forget the last. was 5+ years ago. Sure grew every coral you could put in that tank.

johanngh1977 · Oct 30, 2016

ATI bulbs

2- actinics
2- blue plus
1- purple
1- coral plus

maroun.c · Oct 30, 2016

As your tank is a shallow one you should get excellent results with T5 even at lower level.
As fir bulbs its always a personal preference. Suggest you buy couple of additional bulvs and experimemt to seebwhich combination guves you the best eye pleasing tank color and also growth and coral colors.

Aznxgqboyx · Oct 30, 2016

Why not keep the metal halides? I have a 8 bulb t5 over my 80 gallon deep blue tank and i think i rather have the metal halide because of the shimmer effect. Lol

Velcro · Oct 30, 2016

I'd love to go BACK to MH from t5 to be honest. Not that I think either grows/colors sps better, just that I prefer the look of the halides. I'm currently running ATI T5 6x54 + around 200 watts of DIY LEDs

Velcro · Oct 30, 2016

Aznxgqboyx said:
Why not keep the metal halides? I have a 8 bulb t5 over my 80 gallon deep blue tank and i think i rather have the metal halide because of the shimmer effect. Lol

I think we have the same thought!

reefwiser · Oct 30, 2016

Taylor for an SPS tank you have the best lighting. If you want to switch you would want to use coral+ and blue+ bulbs for the best growth.
An Hope to see you at our frag swap in two weeks.

3l3ments · Oct 30, 2016

lol sounds like I should just stay with the MH haha

JaimeAdams · Oct 30, 2016

Is there a specific reason why you want to switch? The fixture that you are currently running is a pretty sweet setup.

maroun.c · Oct 30, 2016

I woukd keep the halides and add 2 or 4 T5s if u can fit them.

3l3ments · Oct 30, 2016

I am having some heating issues with the MH. Temp goes from 78 to 81 in 4 hours even with no heaters running and a fan on the sump. apex shuts the lights off at 81 so I see the lights go off couple of times a day. Thinking about buying a chiller then someone suggested a t5 instead. So I thought I would ask the experts on here what you guys think haha. I don't think I could fight more lights above the tank.

Aznxgqboyx · Oct 30, 2016

You might need to run a fan over your main tank, the sump fan alone isnt going to cool it down, if i run all 8 of my t5s my tank will get over 80 degrees also...

reefwiser · Oct 30, 2016

How high do you have the lights over your tank?

3l3ments · Oct 30, 2016

Yeah no really good spot to put a fan for the display, but I have the lights about 16in above the water

reefwiser · Oct 30, 2016

You could put some T5 retro fits and run the MH less hours. You could also cut back on the hours that the MH runs. An just run the LED's alone for a few hours.

rock_lobster · Oct 30, 2016

81 degrees is fine. I have had my tank reach 85 with no problems at all. I think 84 degrees is a good upper limit though to prevent the risk of overshooting higher.