Thoughts on light

[rick4him]

I have a 25 gallon with a coralife 2x65 system.

 

I'm wanting to upgrade my light and was looking at the viper clip on 250 with the 14k bulb.

 

I was talking to a guy at Marine depot and he told me the t5 set up would look better then the clip on m/h viper light. I was shocked. Is it true that a t5 system looks better then the hqi viper? HE said the viper was just to low budget...I'm not sure how a hqi (of any kind) would put out "low budget" lighting??

 

Regardless, I just wanted to get some wisdom. I'm really looking to make my color pop. Right now I only have softies, but I'd like to get something "nicer" down the road.

 

Also, the cost of the light is around 200 bucks. I've noticed I can buy the jbj nanocube or the oceanaic biocube WITH the hqi light for 399. (200 bucks more) So I"m not sure if it's worth the extra 200 and get a new tank, or if I can get a good light for around 200 bucks for what I have now.

 

I already have a aqua c remora pro for this tank, and don't know if it's really worth the price of a new tank. Just want to get some wisdom. I"m hoping to buy some stuff later on today.

 

Thanks.

[Pickle010]

I prefer t5 for a number of reasons...

 

Pro's -

 

Cheaper to run

Bulbs seem to last longer

More color control - (bulb variety)

Doesn't heat the tank as much - even when I lived someplace cooler a chiller was a must with MH.

Can grow anything - in the right tank with a quality unit (individual reflectors / good bulbs)

Lights the tank evenly

 

 

Cons -

 

No MH Shimmer

 

 

I think the Viper is kind of a cheap - quick fix to MH - plenty of nice tanks use them though. With MH you can get bulbs that put out different colors like a 14k which is typically bluer then a 10.

 

It's really personal prefernce and as you can see I'm partial to the t5's - the ONLY way I'd ever go to MH again is if I was going to light a deap tank.

 

You might want to search for Weeties T5 info thread... lot's of great info in there.

[franklypre]

I love HQI, but it would really depend on whether or not you like the "shimmer" of halides. T5s are equivelent to halides now days and they are nice for heat issues. But I wouldn't suggest another tank and you might go with a 150w with t5s to supplement.

[rick4him]

I love HQI, but it would really depend on whether or not you like the "shimmer" of halides. T5s are equivelent to halides now days and they are nice for heat issues. But I wouldn't suggest another tank and you might go with a 150w with t5s to supplement.

 

Thanks for the great info.

 

When you say 150w with t5 add on how would you do that if the m/h is a clip on. Wouldn't the t5 unti be blocking the light from the clip on? Or melt form the intense heat beaming down on it's plastic casing all day?

[mbarton2010]

i have a MH and love it