Lighting suggestion

[SaltWaterN00b]

Well being that tax time has come around i'll be getting into a little money and my wife told me to buy the lightning I need. I'd really rather bank all the money but I think the light is a good investment.

Whats the best bang for the buck when it comes to MH's? Also does anyone have some tips on running these lights? ANything I should know?

Thank you
Patrick

 

[SaltWaterN00b]

This is for a 48" 55g, should have mentioned that, sorry!

 

[PalmTree]

I don't really have much experience in lighting but I can comment on what I have and had. I currently have 3 - 250watt HQI MH (XM 10k bulbs) with four 6-foot actinic t-12 VHOS to supplement. I've had this setup for a little over a near a year now with excellent grwth. The bulbs offer a crisp white color so I definately needed the actinic. The only problem I have is the heat that is produced from the MH but you already knew that! I'm sure others will chime in with better more compartive information.

 

[autoponicz]

you can also look into T5 HO(with individual reflectors).....less heat....its almost as intense as MH with different bulb combinations for your own taste

i just bought a aquactinics t5 fixture for a 36" tank.....they have other sizes .......the reason i went with this instead of MH was because of the heat issues and the electric bill.....

 

[masterswimmer]

I agree with both directions listed so far. T5's are great for any type of coral you want to keep. They use less electricity to run them and you can get a variety of bulbs to achieve the most desireable and effective color spectrum you'd like. They produce less heat as well. T5 bulbs last longer than MH's. Daylight bulbs should last easily between one year and one and a half years. Actinics will need replacing at about one year.

The downside of T5's is they will not produce the shimmer lines that MH's will. They also have less penetration in deep tanks.

MH's will provide you with intense lighting that will easily allow you to keep any animal under them. Glitter lines and a great assortment of bulbs.

The downside to MH is the heat produced, the electricity used and the commitment to a certain spectrum with a particular bulb. Obviously you can change out the bulb to achieve a different look, but that'll cost you in bulbs. They need to be changed out every 8-12 months. You will most likely need to supplement with actinic lighting to get the dawn/dusk appearance.

HTH,
Russ
House of Fish