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View Full Version : should I upgrade my lighting?


SHADYreefer
03/12/2011, 12:54 PM
I have a 60 gallon cube with a 250 watt metal halide. I keep sps and lps. A guy in my local club is selling 4 T5 units for $35 bucks total. Would it be beneficial to buy them, or is that over kill? Thanks

goofball310
03/12/2011, 01:06 PM
If you're thinking about adding the t5's to your current system as addt'l lighting then it could be overkill. If you're just thinking about adding it as supplemental lighting then that is fine. A 250w halide over a 24x24x24 tank is more than enough lighting to grow just about anything.

If you plan on switching out your halides for t5's you will have the benefits of lowering your power consumption and heat generated by the halides, but you will lose shimmering effect of halides. I personally would never switch over to a full t5 system just because of losing the shimmering effect. I'd atleast add a few LED's just to regain the effects.

SHADYreefer
03/12/2011, 01:52 PM
my other idea was to change my MH bulb to a 10000 kelvin or lower for better growth and have the t5 for actinic. This way when I am gone I will have on the MH, but when I'm home I will be able to have a nice looking tank with the T5s. Is this a good idea?

fishytoo
03/12/2011, 03:30 PM
That should work. Then you have looks and function

brob22
03/12/2011, 04:25 PM
thats a good idea
id go for it a 10k with a mix of blue plus and actinic t5 would be real nice

goofball310
03/12/2011, 05:14 PM
if you want the best of both worlds without having to change anything:

http://www.marinedepot.com/250W_%2810K%29_10000K_20000K_%2820K%29_Twin_Arc_Metal_Halide_Bulb_Advanced_Lighting_Solutions_Mogul_ Base_250_Watt_Single_Ended_Metal_Halide_Light_Bulbs-AquaMaxx_Bulbs-MB6551-FILTBUMHSETW-vi.html

It's discontinued there but you can fine them at other vendors.