Lights

Grins

Grins

Girl Reefer...we do exist
May 1, 2007
10,449
0
0
60
Charlotte, NC
I think my next investment is going to be to a canopy with lights. I do want to eventually try corals (after the tank is ready) so I do need to account for that. I've done some research and I'm a bit confused on T5, MH, VHO, etc.

My son can build the canopy for me with no problem and we're not afraid for this to be a DIY project and add a fan if need be. We've discussed whether it needs to be hinged on the top and have an opening on the front.

Soooo, my question (wondering if I'd get there huh?) what should I be saving up for? Not anything to make someone drool in delight mind you, but a suitable light system for the tank that we can do ourselves without me telling him that I've decided not to pay his college tuition and invest in lights instead. ;-)
 
T-5's are nice but I am a halide guy, IMO they are far better than any other lighting around.
 
You can just make a skeleton of a rectangle and have 2 pieces of wood going across the top face of the rectange to hang the lights. You can leave it open or put some sort of board like MDF to cover it and make it look better. For my canopy I'm not having boards covering the sides so that it can vent. You can have boards and just put some computer fans on the side.
 
If it were me, I'd choose MH or T5, exactly which one depends on what corals you'd like to keep. VHOs are still good lights, but seem to be falling out of favor somewhat in the hobby as MH, T5, and other "new" lighting technologies evolve.
 
MH are the best, but if u don't wanna spend all that money i would say VHO's. People seem to like T-5s, but u get much better color from VHO's and if u don't have halides u can't keep 90% of SPS anyway so i would go with the better color of VHO's. They r cheaper too. I have retrofit VHO's with Icecap Ballasts on my 120g and i have all kinds of LPS with no problems. If u want SPS halides r really the only way.
 
I'd like the canopy to be closed on the sides and not just the skeleton framework. I've seen some setups that mixed the lights. 2MH between 2 strips of VHO or T5s and sometimes a moonlight in the top middle. I like the idea of a combination if it works out best.
 
Yes that would be best.
 
Although you can't keep most of what MH can, T5s can still keep a large variety of corals, just not most SPS.
 
I love the shimmer effect you get with halides, IMO that alone is worth the money, much more natural looking if you ask me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom