I say they both are good, who else has an opinion!!

Wow, a time old battle. If I had to choose one or the other to use on thier own, i would use T5's. But I really like using metal halides with T5's  flanking them.

I would have to agree Eben, T5 lighting is somewhat inexpensive from an intail cost standpoint and it uses far less electricity and produces much less heat then halides.

I wonder when they are going to get LED lighting units ready for reef aquariums. My guess is that spectrum is the main issue there, I am not sure what natural spectrum a diode produces?

Granted, t5 is less expensive and more efficient in energy consumption, but try an experiment.  Get two frags of any sps, keep one under halides, one under t5s.  They must be under approximately the same wattage, of course.  I think that you will find that there will be much more growth under the halides than the t5s.  

--Last edited by stronghandsmcgee on 2007-01-18 09:26:26 --

There is no doubt that Metal Halide lighting is th #1 choice for SPS corals. In fact I would be willing to argue that from a health and growth standpoint metal halide is the only way to go for SPS.

I like the mixture of the both.  I have heard the T-5s' bulbs don't need to be replaced.  Has anyone heard that?  I think on my next order from the Drs website, I might get the light tester to see if that is true.  I have a hard time believing that the spectrum wouldn't change as the element inside the bulb is broken down.

Roka,

I would not go as far to say that T5 bulbs do not need to be replaced. I have read that they tend to hold a true spectrum longer then other bulbs. For example, a 10k T5 may keep that true spectrum longer then a 10k power compact.

I would still recommend replacing even a T5 bulb every 8-10 months, just to be on the extra safe side.

Yeah, I totally agree that the spectrum would shift.  I am going to place an order today and get a filter and possibly a light meter.  I just replaced my T-5s about a month ago and would like to run a little experiment on light spectrums.

I am testing the T5 and sps theory in my tank right now. I got the new Nova Extreme HO T5 unit for my tank. So far I've seen phemomenal sps growth in porites, a blue tip acro, and a flourscent green monti. I just got a birdsnest that is still adjusting I think but doing great. So far the porites has exploded with growth, but the others are holding steady. Granted I have them all at the top of the tank.

I'll still replace the bulbs once a year or a little more frequently if it looks like I need to.

I just couldn't justify MH, though the intensity it produces is very nice, as is the shimmer.

Just an FYI, let the lighting fixture cool completely.  I cracked one of the end caps on my Nova Extreme Fixture.

WOW!! if you can pull off getting a birdsnest to grow you will make a believer out of me. I have had tough times getting any growth out of birdnest in the past: sometimes struggling just to maintain the gorgeous pink color.

I spoke too soon, haha. The birdsnest isn't doing that hot, losing some of it's color. I'm gonna try a big water change and heavy chemical filtration to see if I can reverse the problem, but so far I've had great luck with T5. I'll keep ya updated on the birdsnest.

Hey Jeremy, Have you seen those new LED fixtures? Super efficient and quite powerful. Granted they are $3,000, but hey.....

Yeah, I've seen the LEDS.  Pretty pricey, but you don't have to replace the LED but about every 10 years, if I remember reading that correctly.

Hey Guys,

I have seen the Solaris LED set-ups and a fish shop I was at over vacation had one on a 55 gallon reef aquarium. From what I have read they are supposed to have the same intensity as a metal halide fixture with much less heat output and power consumption.

IMO after seeing one up close is don't bother. If the cost was on par with a Halide I'd say they might be alright, but give me a 150 watt or 250 watt halide over that thing anyday. The light output was alright but not nearly as intense or shimmering as a halide.

Hmmm, Interesting, I heard you can adjust the intensity and the life span of LEDs far outlast the others....

Hello everyone!  I started out with PC because of cost.  After 6 months I wanted more and built my canopy with dual 175s and dual 110w VHOs (actinic).  I have a lot of SPS coral and they are all doing very well with the lighting.  I agree it's hard to beat those tried and true Halides.  I just ordered new bulbs they shoudl be here on monday.  

Put me down for MH!

Ziggy you ever posted a pic of your tank with your current lighting. I can remember. If you have a pic how about posting it.

Here are a few pics of the lighting, the bulbs/hood and the tank with the lighting on.

It's been 9 days since I changed my bulbs on the tank.  I went from the 20Ks that you see in the pics to 14Ks.  In those 9 days I have seen some amazing changes in my corals.  I have a couple of Acros that have just exploded in color and started growing.  I'm stoked!  Next on the list is new VHOs in a week or two.