mh or t5

[Brian r. s.]

how big of a deferens in mh and t5 can you have clams with ether of them? i would like to have a max half way up my 55 gal.

[Snprhed]

MH. I would look at the 150w hqi pendant made by coralife. They are a good set up. They do not need a hood or anything. They look better than a standard pfo type pendant. Some people will say that a 150 is not enough, however the 150 hqi's put out a similar par to that of a 175w se. I think that should be fine for a 55. Now having said all of that. I think that t5's could possibly be sufficient, however you would have to have an 8 bulb system and the width of the fixture over a 55 would be overwhelming. Also I don't have any experience with t5's also. when pc's came out they were the toast of the town. After a while we collectively realized they really aren't that good for our use.

[Wiggawam]

If this is going to be your first clam I say go MH simply because it is proven. I'm a great fan of halides and am throwing a system over one of my tanks as we speak but it is still an unknown with clams. Try and swap in a 10k bulb too, better kelvin rating for our clams, can't use the 20k as much.

[Ti]

you can do the T5, but the halide is better due to spot intensiy.

[Snprhed]

Plus MH has the cool shimmer.

[cougaraug]

My Crocea likes my T5s just fine.

[dvanacker]

I have a T.Crocea in my 55g.....4 bulb coralvue retro. And the clam is doing great.