T5s alone, or T5/MH combo?

[TheMcs]

Trying to figure out lighting for my 185. I definitely want Tek T5 retros. I would also like MH.
The 185 is 30" across (end overflow). Tek T5 reflectors are 3" wide. I can easily fit 8 T5s (max 10) if I go all T5. If I use MH, I'm going with Lumenarc reflectors, the mini is 14.5" wide. That means if I run the MH in the middle, I've only got room for 2 T5s on each side. Not ideal, I'd like at least 6 T5s.
Any ideas? Input? Experience?
Thanks!

[jiterati]

Have you looked at HQI metal halides? At www.hellolights.com they have reflectors that are only 6" x 11".

[kimoy]

i would go with the halides T5 combo. you get the shimmer of the halides plus the growth from the T5

[TheMcs]

I prefer SE over HQI. Nothing I can pinpoint, just from experience. Could be that I ran good quality SE at home and dealth with crappy Current HQI when I ran a LFS.
I'll give it consideration though, thanks.

[DarG]

I'm using those retro HQI reflectors ( 11" x 6") for 2 X 250 watt HQI's with 4 T5's over a 90. Going halide alone I probably wouldn't use them. But for halide and T5 combo they are great. I think that Hahn made this point in another thread a little while back. With these smaller reflectors you will get more "hot spot" than with a better / larger reflector that gives a more uniform spread.
This gives you some higher par areas for the high light loving corals. The T5's balance everything out with their more uniform spread. Works very well actually. Looking at the tank, there are no shadow areas. The lighting appears very uniform to the eye. You cannot even see a shadow in the tank under the center brace. They dont cost a whole lot but they have a quality socket, come with the glass shield and they work fantastic for a diy combo hood or canopy.

[tkeracer619]

I don't think you will need that many T5's. 2 on each side should be more than plenty.

My vote is for the combo.

[Bebo77]

i vote combo.. thats what i run now...

[TheMcs]

Thanks, that 6" wide reflector solves all my problems. That way I can run my original plan of 4 MH in a rectangle pattern with T5s outside & in between the MH. Might be overkill.