New fixture after advice from here- T5 or Mh?

outcastjra · 12/19/2009, 06:46 AM

BOTH!!!!
UPDATE! I went with the current outter orbit 36' 2X250mhs, 4x39w T5's, and 12 LED Moonlights! I am very pleased with the fixture and how it covers my tank!
The upgrade was from a single 250w mh, and 2 pc's sundial. It was short and small.
My corals will love this upgrade for sure! I plan to keep these 10K bulbs in it for a little bit to get the corals to grow for 4 weeks or so, then to the bluer type lights. Better pics to come. These are from my blackberry.
Thanks guys!

rkb · 12/19/2009, 08:44 AM

Very nice, you may want to consider switching to a couple Phoenix 14Ks right off the bat. For the corals you are keeping the 2 250 10Ks could be a bit intense. The Phoenix bulbs offer a great color and output. When you first install them they are a bit bluer than after about 100 hours burn in time. After that you can adjust the color of the tank with your T5s to get the right amount of actinic to make the color pleasing to the eye.

outcastjra · 12/19/2009, 08:51 AM

I thought the 10K's were less in light, which allowede corals to grow better?
Do I have that backwards?
Thanks

rkb · 12/19/2009, 10:48 AM

You might have a look at some of the output numbers. The 10K throw out a lot of energy which makes them great for growth. A 14K or higher lacks some of the energy output so the growth may be a bit slower but the colors will really pop.

outcastjra · 12/19/2009, 12:50 PM

That would explian why when I had a 10k bulb before it was growing everything like crazy, zoos, xenia, etc. Then when I put a reeflux 12K in, some of my softies went away. Not enough light towards the bottom of my tank. Well now wit this new fixture I have all the light I need, and then some!

outcastjra · 12/19/2009, 05:09 PM

Better pics!
Just T5's-

All Lights on-

outcastjra · 12/19/2009, 05:10 PM

Just a quick note- The lights looks so much better in person! I need to take better photos. This is a good reference for anyone that wants to see what the current outter orbit looks like on a 65G reef.
Thanks

tufacody · 12/19/2009, 05:52 PM

I love the look of the first pic. I don't like the windex look, as is the rage right now. However, you will notice that a bluer bulb brings out more color. I keep my giagntea upder that blulb and it had done great, but I agree for your softies it may be a little intense.

Those outer orbit fixtures are very nice. I sure wish it was still available, as I like it so much better than my Belize Sun on a different tank. I am surprise you could find one as Current has discontinued them.

outcastjra · 12/19/2009, 07:05 PM

I found mine as a refurb from Current on ebay...The light looks and seems brand new!!!
I got it at a steal of a deal for just $224.00! Shipping was 45 bucks! Truly a great buy!
Also I just picked up some more fish today to really set the reef off. As far as the intense lighting, I am only going to run the mh's 4 hours a day. Until I get some new bulbs. I may stick with the Reeflux bulbs! We shall see. Thanks

12/19/2009, 06:46 AM	#1
outcastjra Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 163	New fixture after advice from here- T5 or Mh? BOTH!!!! UPDATE! I went with the current outter orbit 36' 2X250mhs, 4x39w T5's, and 12 LED Moonlights! I am very pleased with the fixture and how it covers my tank! The upgrade was from a single 250w mh, and 2 pc's sundial. It was short and small. My corals will love this upgrade for sure! I plan to keep these 10K bulbs in it for a little bit to get the corals to grow for 4 weeks or so, then to the bluer type lights. Better pics to come. These are from my blackberry. Thanks guys! __________________ Gotta Love Reefing!!! Current Tank Info: 65G Mixed Reef, 10G Sump, 250 DE MH with 2 32w PC lights; Just got a LPS RSM! LOVE IT

12/19/2009, 08:44 AM	#2
rkb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Western Hemisphere Posts: 578	Very nice, you may want to consider switching to a couple Phoenix 14Ks right off the bat. For the corals you are keeping the 2 250 10Ks could be a bit intense. The Phoenix bulbs offer a great color and output. When you first install them they are a bit bluer than after about 100 hours burn in time. After that you can adjust the color of the tank with your T5s to get the right amount of actinic to make the color pleasing to the eye. __________________ Current tank: Eleventy billion gallon tank with a DSB of rainbow gravel and one tiny blue tang...

12/19/2009, 08:51 AM	#3
outcastjra Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 163	I thought the 10K's were less in light, which allowede corals to grow better? Do I have that backwards? Thanks __________________ Gotta Love Reefing!!! Current Tank Info: 65G Mixed Reef, 10G Sump, 250 DE MH with 2 32w PC lights; Just got a LPS RSM! LOVE IT

12/19/2009, 10:48 AM	#4
rkb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Western Hemisphere Posts: 578	You might have a look at some of the output numbers. The 10K throw out a lot of energy which makes them great for growth. A 14K or higher lacks some of the energy output so the growth may be a bit slower but the colors will really pop. __________________ Current tank: Eleventy billion gallon tank with a DSB of rainbow gravel and one tiny blue tang...

12/19/2009, 12:50 PM	#5
outcastjra Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 163	That would explian why when I had a 10k bulb before it was growing everything like crazy, zoos, xenia, etc. Then when I put a reeflux 12K in, some of my softies went away. Not enough light towards the bottom of my tank. Well now wit this new fixture I have all the light I need, and then some! __________________ Gotta Love Reefing!!! Current Tank Info: 65G Mixed Reef, 10G Sump, 250 DE MH with 2 32w PC lights; Just got a LPS RSM! LOVE IT

12/19/2009, 05:09 PM	#6
outcastjra Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 163	Better pics! Just T5's- All Lights on- __________________ Gotta Love Reefing!!! Current Tank Info: 65G Mixed Reef, 10G Sump, 250 DE MH with 2 32w PC lights; Just got a LPS RSM! LOVE IT

12/19/2009, 05:10 PM	#7
outcastjra Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 163	Just a quick note- The lights looks so much better in person! I need to take better photos. This is a good reference for anyone that wants to see what the current outter orbit looks like on a 65G reef. Thanks __________________ Gotta Love Reefing!!! Current Tank Info: 65G Mixed Reef, 10G Sump, 250 DE MH with 2 32w PC lights; Just got a LPS RSM! LOVE IT

12/19/2009, 05:52 PM	#8
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	I love the look of the first pic. I don't like the windex look, as is the rage right now. However, you will notice that a bluer bulb brings out more color. I keep my giagntea upder that blulb and it had done great, but I agree for your softies it may be a little intense. Those outer orbit fixtures are very nice. I sure wish it was still available, as I like it so much better than my Belize Sun on a different tank. I am surprise you could find one as Current has discontinued them.

12/19/2009, 07:05 PM	#9
outcastjra Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 163	I found mine as a refurb from Current on ebay...The light looks and seems brand new!!! I got it at a steal of a deal for just $224.00! Shipping was 45 bucks! Truly a great buy! Also I just picked up some more fish today to really set the reef off. As far as the intense lighting, I am only going to run the mh's 4 hours a day. Until I get some new bulbs. I may stick with the Reeflux bulbs! We shall see. Thanks __________________ Gotta Love Reefing!!! Current Tank Info: 65G Mixed Reef, 10G Sump, 250 DE MH with 2 32w PC lights; Just got a LPS RSM! LOVE IT