T5 vs. Halde in a 10 Gallon

[Trueno22]

I Currently have a 70w Viper Halide with a bulb that needs replacing. Now the bulb I want is a AB 20000K which costs like 89.00.

While searching I found a 24 inch 4x24w Sundial with independently contoured reflectors for 89.00 plus shipping. This fixture is 4 inches longer than my ten gallon but the legs are adjustable so I can make it stand over the tank just fine It would have like 2 inches hanging over the sides though. On the plus side it has the timers which I love.

SO what should I do they are both on the same price point if you don;t count shipping. The tank is only 12 inches deep and I plan to keep only zoo's, paly's, and chalices.

 

[stylaster]

I would stick with the halide, i think you get a better light coloration, plus the cool wavey light lines on the coral, sand, rock, etc

 

[Trueno22]

I know, but with the 14k I got now I get no florescence effect of the corals at all.

 

[Poseidon]

I love my T5, I don't regret switching from halides at all.

 

[ZOABOY]

I love both, but i would say Halide.

 

[Trueno22]

Would I need to supplement some actinic to get the florecent effect? or could a 20k bulbs fix it up.

 

[macawmagic]

i'd go with a 20k 150 watt halide.

i don't think you'll be that happy with the t5 fixture hanging over the tank that much.

 

[AquaWorldPSC]

Personally I think the 20K Radiums are the king of all bulbs in my book. If you are looking for coloration than I would get the t-5 fixture and have 2 of the bulbs being Aqua-Science 22k. IMO

 

[ZOABOY]

+1 20K Radiums

 

[JR's Reef]

If you dont get the T5's please PM me on where to get 1 for that price or if they have more that 1 PM me. Thanks

 

[stylaster]

I would do the 20k also, thats what i have over my 24g tank and the corals are really bright colored. Here's a pic

 

[autoponicz]

i would sell the viper....and pickup the t5's since your not doing sps.....i have SLS 2 bulb t5HO retrofit on my 10g and its very bright...i could only imagine 4 bulbs...if you get a moderate surface agitation...you get some soft shimmer effect too..
i think t5's color up lps and softies nicely...because of the different bulb combinations..

but definate halides for sps...its just that intensity that makes them bling..
i have halide and vho actinics for my 30g

 

[Hypertek99]

I like halides better too.

 

[cpage3]

I like radiums two. In my opinion radiums have good color and provide good growth. You dont usually find that in one mh bulb

 

[cpage3]

Plus you get the shimmer effect

 

[acanman]

i'd go with a 20k 150 watt halide.

i don't think you'll be that happy with the t5 fixture hanging over the tank that much.

man thats alot of light on a 10 gallon....... especially since hes not doing sps... i have a 175 mh 14k on my 46 gallon..........

 

[acanman]

on btw i use a 24 inch t5 on my 10 gallon frag/reef tank.. its the nova extreme 48 watt..

 

[kass03]

I have 6 54 watt HO T5's on my 55 gal. I also have a 70 watt MH viper on my 24 gal (I had a 12 gal nano and recently changed to a 24).
I did'nt like the 14k the viper came with so switched to a 20k bulb but it is a cheap ebay bulb. The color is much better with the 20k but my acans still looked better colorwise when I had them under my T5's being theres more actinic.
Truthfully I don't think you'll go wrong with either except I wonder if that T5 fixture is a throwaway being it's so cheap. Meaning the ballast is built in and you can't change the bulbs. You would also want to see if it's high output.

kass

 

[Hypertek99]

I can't stand the looks of T5's by themselves