48" aqualight pro 2x250 mh or Tek 8x54 HO T5?

I've noticed that t5 tanks have less issues with algae, at least in my area. And you can get ripples with flourescent bulbs too, just raise the light higher above the water surface and point some strong water flow at the surface for the ripples, this works for me with my CF's (I am going to switch to t5's).

 

If you decide to go 2x250W MH, you can get a good setup (with T5s instead of PCs) from reefgeek.com for about $1200. It would be worth the extra $400. However, the Teks are a good fit for your setup as well. You would need to get the legs (and the splash shield for sure). The reflectors are good quality, but stain easier than the ATI and it's brethren.

In terms of bulbs, there are arguements all over the place ITO what is better, what has better PAR, PUR and general spectal characteristics. I am a UVL dude. I run 4x Superactinics, 2x 75/25 (14000K) and 2x Actinic Whites (12000K). If you want to see pics of different combinations look at my thread.....but it is all UVL....http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-off-your-fish-tanks/pharmrjohns-90g-thread-52614-47.html#post618142

Maybe Doc and Horkn can put of some pics of their tanks with different T5 combos. I would be interested too.

And to either one of them. I thought I read somewhere that the Fiji bulb just plain sucked. I cannot, for the life of me, remember where I saw that. I look at the spectrum, read the description, and I don't see anything overtly wrong.....nothing. Clue me in guys. TIA.

 

Down with Halides, this is a T5 generation

 

go T5s with 8 bulbs you can run awesome bulb combos for colors. Also awesome choice on that skimmer!!!

 

thanks for your input. Ended up getting the Aqualight Pro because the guy came down in price. Got it for $700 canadian. ( that's about $650 usd.) Everything brand new, still in the shipping box. I'll use these for a year, then maybe something new will come out. I'll wait til the Teks come out with new fan-cooled fixtures to go to t5s

 

Burger, I would see if you can mod the Pro to house T5s... Honestly, Coralife is phasing the Pros out with Pcs in favor of Pros with T5.... You most likely can use the same ballast thats in there for the PCs

The reflectors are good quality, but stain easier than the ATI and it's brethren.
If you look at this scientifically, better reflectors would stain EASIER as aluminum oxidizes INCREDIBLY fast, the purer the Al the faster it oxidizes. Horkns ATIs not staining is a wonder to me, I need to check them out. I spent 3 hours the other night after work cleaning my SLRs and lamps. Well it brought my PAR back up 50 points or so!! But I am still down about 40-50 in some spots from 6 months ago. If you clean them right away when you get splash on them you are fine, if you are like me and wait 6 months to clean up a mess, yes the staining will be bad.

Maybe Doc and Horkn can put of some pics of their tanks with different T5 combos. I would be interested too.
Horkn runs MH and t5 on his current tank, he USED to have a t5 only tank. I just switched my lamps around the other night when I cleaned them, and it is amazing how much different a tank will look even though its the same lamps just in a different order.
If I could find a way on my camera to show my spectrum true to life I would in a sec post a pic!

And to either one of them. I thought I read somewhere that the Fiji bulb just plain sucked. I cannot, for the life of me, remember where I saw that. I look at the spectrum, read the description, and I don't see anything overtly wrong.....nothing. Clue me in guys. TIA.
What I have heard negative about the KZ Fiji is that it is TOO red for many peoples taste, but it has rocking PAR and the red can be a good blend with the proper lamps!

 

I have two coralife PC fixtures, are you saying I can use them and retrofit to T5's? How would I do this? I would love to be able to just switch them to T5's instead of buying a new fixture.


Also do the HQI - MH's run cooler than the single ended bulbs or are they pretty close to them same heat output?

 

I have two coralife PC fixtures, are you saying I can use them and retrofit to T5's? How would I do this? I would love to be able to just switch them to T5's instead of buying a new fixture. It is possible if you are very creative and handy, in burgers case he would use them as supplemental so its not as big of a deal if the reflectors aren't the best or whatever... in YOUR case it WOULD be the main lighting, and reflectors WILL play a big part in it... You might be able to get some retro SLRs in there, again if you are creative and handy.

Also do the HQI - MH's run cooler than the single ended bulbs or are they pretty close to them same heat output? You would have to compare them watt to watt or other wise it would be apples to oranges

 

Reef Sparky looked into putting T5s in a Pro but said the ballast would be too big/not enough room.

I don't really see T5s being such a huge difference over PC to be worth it. With bulb prices for now, pay back would be several years. Since changing mine from 150w to 250 w, I think the majority of my light input are coming from the MHs. I don't see changing 200ws of supplemental to be of a big benefit. Please correct me if that thinking is flawed.