Thinking of going T-5!!!

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I thought about this before and since having all my new lighting set up I am considering it again. I love the look of my lights, but my acans are loosing all there color and they are on the bottom corner of the tank.

Currently: 2x's 250 MH Hamilton 14k & 220w VHO

What would you suggest for a 120g 4ft tank as far as T-5's are concerned? Also I will need enough light for my sps.

 

[chadfarmer]

250w hamiltons arent that bright


i would stick with the setup you have

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

But my aussie acans are loosing their cool colors! I have had them for a good while and since moving them to the new tank they are becoming drab.

 

[ricordianut]

rev go to 20 k radiums and youre acans will color back up hd the same issue with the hamiltons

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Would I be okay to run the radiums on a ARO Electronic Ballast?

 

[ricordianut]

aro what does that stand for im a little dumb on the ballast i only have th blue wave

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

ARO is a stock ballast that www.hellolights.com sells...

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=462

 

[ricordianut]

here is a link
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~MB6811.html

 

[ricordianut]

hope that helps i have sps and it has made them color up real nice it slowed the growth down a little but my lps love them oh one more question we are talking single ended

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Yes SE bulbs.

 

[ricordianut]

says it will work hope that helps it will give u a liitle bluer look with that ballast

 

[Hypertek99]

I have a 250MH over my 29gal and the colors on my acans are really nice. Try putting them in higher light.

 

[surfn]

i would replace the VHO's with 4 T5 bulbs. go with 2 blue+ bulbs and 2 true actinic bulbs.

i'd say just keep the hamiltons. still way too early to tell and judge the color of corals while the tank is young. if you go with radiums on the same ballast you are actually taking a step down as far as PAR and intensity goes.

give it some time before you make any rash decisions...


btw, lets see a pic at how you have your canopy/reflector set up.

 

[twon8]

i second the 4 t5's, i would go with two ati blueplus, one actinic, and one daylight bulb. it will help bring out reds

 

[JGoslee]

i second the 4 t5's, i would go with two ati blueplus, one actinic, and one daylight bulb. it will help bring out reds

Rev I was considering going all T5 myself but I decided against it at the last minute. What I did do was buy 2 more T5's so now I have my 2-250 halides and 4-T5's. I haven't bought the bulbs yet but when I do I'm going to try Twons suggestion above.

 

[jermpool]

Rev I was considering going all T5 myself but I decided against it at the last minute. What I did do was buy 2 more T5's so now I have my 2-250 halides and 4-T5's. I haven't bought the bulbs yet but when I do I'm going to try Twons suggestion above.

I have also been considering going to T5s. I have a ballast and some retro fixtures for 3 250watt halides but by the time I buy new bulbs I am halfway there for the T5s. Why did you decide to stick with mh?

 

[JGoslee]

I have also been considering going to T5s. I have a ballast and some retro fixtures for 3 250watt halides but by the time I buy new bulbs I am halfway there for the T5s. Why did you decide to stick with mh?

I was going to make the switch to all t5's just to do something different. I actually like the colors and growth of my halide/t5 combo. Sometimes I just feel like changing things up.