Jetbkk
Member
Hello everyone.
Now that I've just upgraded my 50g system to include a 25g sump and finally ditched the canister filter, it is time to re-access my lighting. My tank size is 36"x18"x18" and I am currently running 3 T5 39w bulbs (but they are in a cheap housing that doesn't use individual reflectors for each bulb).
I have a tank with 2 anemone's and various corals, and although everything is doing fine, I think their long term health might be suspect with my current lighting, so want to change that. I also would like to buy a clam, once I'm sure I have enough light to support it.
I had a guy install the sump for me who owns a fish and coral shop here in Bangkok. The only thing he could say was that I need MH. He doesn't like T5. I was under the impression from some other comments on this board that T5x4 would be enough for my size tank, but after talking to him I'm all doubts!
Since I live in Bangkok, it is very easy to have a custom made lighting housing. He was suggesting that he build a MH setup for me, which I know would be cost effective.
Thailand is very hot, and I always worry about MH making my water so hot that a chiller is required, and I don't want that. With my T5s the water averages about 81.5 degrees with a fan running.
So the question is, should I consider building a custom lighting solution, and if so what kind of lighting should it be? He was saying one 250w MH and some built in fans would do it. I like the color options of T5, so was wondering about a hybrid MH and T5 option --- perhaps one 150w MH and 4 T5 39w?
I thought I was going to go down the T5 path and just get a better quality housing with 4 bulbs and maybe moonlights, but now I'm all confused again!
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks..
Now that I've just upgraded my 50g system to include a 25g sump and finally ditched the canister filter, it is time to re-access my lighting. My tank size is 36"x18"x18" and I am currently running 3 T5 39w bulbs (but they are in a cheap housing that doesn't use individual reflectors for each bulb).
I have a tank with 2 anemone's and various corals, and although everything is doing fine, I think their long term health might be suspect with my current lighting, so want to change that. I also would like to buy a clam, once I'm sure I have enough light to support it.
I had a guy install the sump for me who owns a fish and coral shop here in Bangkok. The only thing he could say was that I need MH. He doesn't like T5. I was under the impression from some other comments on this board that T5x4 would be enough for my size tank, but after talking to him I'm all doubts!
Since I live in Bangkok, it is very easy to have a custom made lighting housing. He was suggesting that he build a MH setup for me, which I know would be cost effective.
Thailand is very hot, and I always worry about MH making my water so hot that a chiller is required, and I don't want that. With my T5s the water averages about 81.5 degrees with a fan running.
So the question is, should I consider building a custom lighting solution, and if so what kind of lighting should it be? He was saying one 250w MH and some built in fans would do it. I like the color options of T5, so was wondering about a hybrid MH and T5 option --- perhaps one 150w MH and 4 T5 39w?
I thought I was going to go down the T5 path and just get a better quality housing with 4 bulbs and maybe moonlights, but now I'm all confused again!
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks..
