MH only? or MH and PC (or T5) combo?

[Dustin83]

hello everyone.

I am looking into buying new lights for my new 5ft tank and am debating between two options.

I wanted to get your opinion on which one you guys would choose.

1. THREE Metal Halide bulbs fixture

2. TWO Metal Halide bulbs with PC or T5 Combo fixture.

Just to make this easy, let's just say that both fixtures output exactly same amount of wattage.

From my understanding, the only upside of MH/PC combo is that PC evens out the lighting more smoothly where there may be darker spots created in between MH bulbs. The only other reason I can think of is the fact that it may produce little bit less heat. Yet, it seems like these Combo fixtures are bit more expensive than the MH only.

What are the adv's and disadv's of the two? and which do you guys prefer?

Thanks!

 

[jojo22]

2 Halides will only light 4 feet worth of tank!!

 

[dorkfish]

2 Halides will only light 4 feet worth of tank!!

Then don't put high light corals in the end six inches...

To answer your question, from what I've read halides are the most efficient light source you can get, excepting some LED's (some T-5's nearly as good)... so your watts would be better used towards the third halide.

Personally I like to look at my tanks from the top-down... so an open top tank with MH pendants would be my choice.

 

[jojo22]

I don't think a tank with 6 dark inches on each side would look right. There for my statement did answer the question. I just assumed the poster was smart enough to realise that a halide would be the best way to go if he wanted to light the whole tank and not just 4 foot.


On a side note I would go with 14k bulbs if you don't run suplements. Most and this is just most people find 10K too white and 20 way too blue.

 

[WeeNe858]

i say use the combo.. its seems to work out thats why its still around

 

[jojo22]

A combo would be great but I would still get 3 halides!!!

 

[Germanman]

a say combo as well....i always will...either that or fill all spots of tank and over shoot.

 

[Reefscape]

From being a converted halide person...i dont ever recomend anything but halides...the three halide fixture gets my vote...

Niko

 

[jojo22]

Suppliments never hurt, but halide is the best choice for your main lighting, IMO!

 

[Dustin83]

I will have to sit on this one for few more days... If I'm looking to spend $700+, I have to make sure there will be no regret. It's a tough call though.

Thanks everyone for your inputs. I really appreciate it.