Lighting help

[Anubis1]

I was asked this and I didn't know how to answer it. Thought maybe someone who was better at explaining it could chime in and tell me.

Ok. a 75 gallon tank which needs lights. I was asked which were the better lights for it. They want to keep the cost as low as possible and still get the best for their dollar (which I don't even know if that's possible). They want to keep some clams (not sure which ones) and possibly an anemone (LTA or Bubbletip, possibly a carpet).

I thought a 75 would be too small for a carpet, but hey, this is about lights so I'll tackle talking them out of a carpet anemone later.

ok. I was asked which puts out more light (aka which is better)
Power compacts or T5's

I must admit I never knew there was much of a difference but I have been reading lately where more and more people are going with T5's over MHs (for anemones) so now I'm confused and have no idea.

Any help as to what I can tell them? Any suggestions (links please) for good lights? They REALLY don't want to go with MH lights. So I'm at a loss!

 

[Brian5000]

I've been asking this question too.

I've owned power compact and metal halide lighting. My understanding is that, while PC gives more light per bulb, you can cram a lot more T-5s into the same space giving T-5s the edge. I think T-5s produce less heat too, which would be a significant advantage over MH, though I think MH still produces the best quality light.

75 gallon aquariums are still fairly shallow. I think your friend might get away with a very large serial of T-5s or definately a metal halide fixture. I don't believe you could cram enough PC lighting into a hood to do what you want.
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[Brian5000]

Here is an example of a ready made T-5 fixture. It has 8 54w lights.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant ... SunlightT5
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[Anubis1]

Thanks Brian, I'll pass that info along!

 

[SnowManSnow]

IMO you're gonna have to go with MH if you're going to be successful with clams. I think it has been done with T5 and VHO.. but why make life hard? You can purchase a pendant with 400w for only about $400.

B

 

[mr_X]

i know a guy who keeps clams and sps under nothing but t-5 lighting. he claims it's better than vho, which is what he had on the tank before the t-5. he has a 110 gallon tank i believe. he seems to be getting very good growth as well. honestly, i thought his tank looked alot brighter with the vho bulbs.
i think the t-5's are far better/more efficient than the compact flourescent.
right now i have 96x4 CF over my tank as a suppliment to the halides, and i'm not very happy with them. i'll be switching to vho when the new tank is here.
BTW-i know another guy who has a 48" 6x54watt t-5 fixture with 3 power cords just sitting there, doing nothing. he upgraded to a coralife mh/cf fixture.
if your friend wants to save money and wants to go with the t-5's, my buddy will sell that unit for 150.00 + shipping.
this is, of course, if he still has it.