MH-T5 Hybrid (1 Viewer)

[New HTXReef]

Getting ready to put a dent in my available credit tomorrow ordering the rest of the equipment for my 180 build tomorrow. Still haven’t settled on the lighting yet. But found this and wanted to get some opinions.

CEBU SUN 72 3 x Mogul Base Metal Halide +T5 Lighting System by Hamilton Technology - AquaCave.com

CEBU SUN 72 3 x Mogul Base Metal Halide +T5 Lighting System by Hamilton Technology - At AquaCave, we offer Best Prices, 5% Back, and Free Shipping on full line of Hamilton Technology products.

www.aquacave.com

 

[Crxej1]

Get a giesemann spectra.

 

[Stickboy97]

Radion G4's are 20% off at Premium Aquatics today

 

[RR-MAN]

There way better options than MH and thats coming from someone that ran MH till last year. [emoji4]

Soon or later it will be difficult to find MH bulbs. Even now way less availability.

LED/T5 combo is probably the best option.

 

[Reefahholic]

If you like MH/T5 the Giesemann is a great choice. I started to go MH and T5 direction and have a huge thread on the topic, but after listening to all the information I decided not to. Although they are still growing corals faster than most other lighting choices out there, they color of MH are hard to supplement to get a decent coral appealing to the eyes.

For this reason, I’m sticking to T5/LED hybrid lighting. A great cheaper option would be this fixture below. It’s the Aquatic Life DX18 which allows for T5’s and LED’s and it’s dimmable.

Aquatic Life DX18 T5 HO Dimmable 4-Lamp Hybrid Mounting System Fixtures

Description DX18 Hybrid T5HO Dimmable Fixtures (lamps not included). The ultimate way to have both T5HO and LED lighting over your aquarium, the Aquatic Life DX18 Hybrid Fixture provides the platform for you to create the ideal lighting for corals and plants. With decades of experience growing...

aquaticlife.com

Or the Orphek Atlantik V4 (Gen 2) is a good choice if you wanna go LED only. They’re out of stock at BRS.

Atlantik V4 (GEN 2) LED Light Fixture

Designed for Optimal Coral Growth and Color The Orphek Atlantik V4 Gen 2 LED fixture has 156 LEDs that range from 380nm to 850nm that include full progressive dimming from 0-100%. Control the light from your favorite iOS or Android smart device! Just pair the Atlantik V4 up with Orphek Gateway...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Reefahholic]

There way better options than MH and thats coming from someone that ran MH till last year. [emoji4]

Soon or later it will be difficult to find MH bulbs. Even now way less availability.

LED/T5 combo is probably the best option.

I agree 100%. They grow coral super good, but dealing with the heat, undesirable color, and the diminishing bulb supply, it’s almost not worth it anymore. When I was thinking about switching over to MH/T5, literally 3-4 people hit me up immediately trying to sell their fixtures.

Here’s the thread:

Are quality Metal Halide fixtures and bulbs still available?

I’ve always wanted to convert, but I fear these fixtures and bulbs might now be available anymore. Can you guys post a picture of your setup and talk a little bit about the best bulbs, ballast, reflectors, etc. Are there any challenges you’re currently facing or that you fear may come in the...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Bullitt519]

MH bulbs around $70 x 3 = 210
T5HO bulbs around $20 x 4 = 80

So you are looking at spending 290+ every 6-12 months just to replace bulbs. IDK I was running 2 x 250W MH on my tank before 2019 and I'm glad I made the change and less to worry about. I would do the LED/T5 if it was me. Plus you will have to think of the heat. I have also noticed bulb selection for MH is harder to find now days.

 

[Reefahholic]

MH bulbs around $70 x 3 = 210
T5HO bulbs around $20 x 4 = 80

So you are looking at spending 290+ every 6-12 months just to replace bulbs. IDK I was running 2 x 250W MH on my tank before 2019 and I'm glad I made the change and less to worry about. I would do the LED/T5 if it was me. Plus you will have to think of the heat. I have also noticed bulb selection for MH is harder to find now days.

People think T5’s don’t put out much heat...my PowerModule has driven my electric bill up by 25% or more. Drives the tank temp up too. I finally got a fan to help regulate a more stable temperature. I am running 8x54 watts over a 75/G. The outter two bulbs are only there to warm the carpet in the front and rear of the tank.

 

[blfuller123]

I always loved MHs but the need for a chiller with MH is what ultimately made my decision to change to LED/T5 combination.

 

[Bullitt519]

Yeah, I ran an 8 bulb back in 2009 ish. I still have the unit but haven't used it since 2011. Mine would keep the tank pretty warm.

 

[New HTXReef]

I really appreciate the feedback. Im still very much in research mode right now. Originally was going to go T5 LED (may go back to this) but read a lot of good things about coral growth with MH. Plus lots of bad like heat, bulbs, color, etc. I’m really happy with my T5 fixture on my 72 and was relatively unhappy with the 2x Hydra 26s I had on there before. I will definitely have T5s in some configuration. If I do go T5 LED what would be the groups recommendation on type of LED and quantity to cover a 72” SPS dominant tank?

 

[New HTXReef]

Radion G4's are 20% off at Premium Aquatics today

I noticed this sale today. Must be the news of the G5’s coming out.

 

[Reefahholic]

I really appreciate the feedback. Im still very much in research mode right now. Originally was going to go T5 LED (may go back to this) but read a lot of good things about coral growth with MH. Plus lots of bad like heat, bulbs, color, etc. I’m really happy with my T5 fixture on my 72 and was relatively unhappy with the 2x Hydra 26s I had on there before. I will definitely have T5s in some configuration. If I do go T5 LED what would be the groups recommendation on type of LED and quantity to cover a 72” SPS dominant tank?

 

[Stickboy97]

Thats sure is alot of LEDs!

 

[Reefahholic]

Thats sure is alot of LEDs!

About $8K worth.

 

[New HTXReef]

Anything worth doing is worth over doing

 

[flipside]

Getting ready to put a dent in my available credit tomorrow ordering the rest of the equipment for my 180 build tomorrow. Still haven’t settled on the lighting yet. But found this and wanted to get some opinions.

CEBU SUN 72 3 x Mogul Base Metal Halide +T5 Lighting System by Hamilton Technology - AquaCave.com

CEBU SUN 72 3 x Mogul Base Metal Halide +T5 Lighting System by Hamilton Technology - At AquaCave, we offer Best Prices, 5% Back, and Free Shipping on full line of Hamilton Technology products.

www.aquacave.com

It's a great fixture! I just wish it had more spread, to be honest. (Don't really want to get into the LED debate because I love MH/T5's).

 

[blfuller123]

I use 3 Kessils in combination with 4 t5s on a 48 inch tank. I control the color with the LEDs and I do get some of the skimmer effect without any problem with heat. Its not MH but I dont have a chiller in my living room either. My T5s are dimable so I can ramp up and down the lights through out the day. I do keep sps and the LPS I have has to go on the sand.

 

[Reefahholic]

I use 3 Kessils in combination with 4 t5s on a 48 inch tank. I control the color with the LEDs and I do get some of the skimmer effect without any problem with heat. Its not MH but I dont have a chiller in my living room either. My T5s are dimable so I can ramp up and down the lights through out the day. I do keep sps and the LPS I have has to go on the sand.

This is a really nice fixture.