MH or T5?

dave3112 · Post by **dave3112** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:51 pm

I am setting up a 50 gal AGAIN and was wondering if I should go with the T5's this time. I am using MH with great success and utility bills to prove it!

Can I keep sps and clams with T5? and is this a good deal?

http://www.1000bulbs.com/product.php?product=11872

I know I would have to change the bulbs but I thought that was a good price for the set up.

Dave

Fishfood · Post by **Fishfood** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 10:08 pm

I have seen some super pictures of SPS tanks running only T5. They have them packed in though. They are typically using the individual reflectors and running the Icecap ballasts. The best tank i saw was on RC and the guy was changing the bulbs every 6 to 9 months because of the spectrum shift.

need to edit this to say that goes against what they have been marketed as. They are said to last 12-18 months. The guy who switches them ever 6-9 has done spectrum tests and found out that they go to crap at abotu 6-9 months. From what I understand they maintain their brightness but change spectrum.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 2:30 pm

The Icecap overdrives them. They last longer on a Triad or ballast made for T5's.

Fishfood · Post by **Fishfood** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 6:53 pm

I'm not sure if this guy was using icecap or not. I think he had a tek setup plus some other ballast running. He had about 8 or 10 bulbs crammed in the canopy. But whatever he was doing the T5s looked great and the coral looked great.