T5's or HQI on a 70g?

[njp14333]

I can't decide between the new HQI pendant by sunlight supply, called the "Lumen Max 3" or a 5 bulb T5 fixture from aquatinics.

I like halides but I'm not so sure I like all the light leakage you get from a pendant, especially since it will be in a livingroom. I considered doing a single spider reflector in a canopy, but since it would probably cost me around $300 for a custom canopy (oceanic canopy is cheaper but only an 8 inch height overall), I decided against that idea.

My other option, the T5 fixture, has it's positives and negatives as well. First and foremost, I'm not sure if 5 T5's can support and grow sps and a crocea in a 25" deep tank. What do you think? On a positive note, the T5 fixture is plug and play (no hanging or anything) and it could be installed in a standard oceanic canopy later on down the road if I chose to add one. In addition, there would be almost no annoying light leakage.

BTW the tank dimensions are 36.5" x 18.5" x 25".

Anyway, sorry for the long post. What's your opinion?

 

[Jill & Brian]

I have the aquatinics 48"t-5 light on my 72 bow. I am overdriving three of the lamps with an icecap 660 and it is putting out plenty of light for SPS. I have a deresa clam on the sand, and sps throughout the tank. My tank is wider and shallower than yours, IMO the t-5 will support what you want to grow on the top half of the tank. any lower an you will probably se some browning and slow growth..

In general, the t-5 light is well build and has a good reflector design, but I think for a deeper tank, MH will give you better penetration.

Good luck

 

[RichConley]

I'd go T5s, although not necessarily that fixture.

THe whole MHs penetrate better is wrong. They actually penetrate worse, they just start with higher intensity.

I have a single MH on a 36" tank, and it doesnt work well. Light comes too much from a single source, so your corals only color up on one side.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

Do a search on RC, plenty of info over there on T-5

You may also want to look into T6 lighting

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=741281&highlight=T5+vs+MH

 

[njp14333]

I'd go T5s, although not necessarily that fixture.

do you have any recommendations as far as t5 fixtures? it seems like pretty much the only fixtures are made by aquatinics and tek. otherwise, i'd havta go with individual reflectors, which would require me to buy the canopy right now.