As the resident T-5 troll here and the new owner of 2x400W halides I can tell you one advantage that t-5 have over MH that hasn't been brought up. Basically even light spread with the T-5 you get the intensity spread out evenly across the tank. Now with almost 70% more wattage in a given space that side is far more shadowy. It might not seem like much but the hardcore T-5 crowd has reported more natural looking even looking growth. Not everything growing to a point. Especially true for like table acros. The T-5 guys are not getting the recession at the shaded base like some MH guys report.
T-5s:
1) 40% more energy efficient
2) Cooler running
3) T-5HO overdriven can do ANYTHING a 250W MH can do.
4) Even light spread
5) Longer bulb life
MH:
1) Nothing T-5 yet will compete with a 400W MH PAR wise (maybe t-5VHO someday)
2) Simmer
3) Easier to wire. (T5 considered a 2 ballast, 6 bulb, 12 endcap setup. With extensions that 48 electrical connections versus 6 connections for my MH setup.)
4) Easier to do maintenance around. |