T5s to Halides, your thoughts?

[Kirru]

I have been in the brainstorming stages of making a transition to halides from T5s. I am mostly concerned with growth and color. What set up would get me the best results as far as this is concerned.

Retro fixtures wouldn't be a problem, could build a canopy and ventilation easily. Regular on tank fixtures are good to but would not like to have the extra light lighting up the rest of the room, this is in my bedroom.

I'm sure I am missing something but just want some more opinions about it.

I was told 2 150w halides and possible actinic supplement? would be good for a tank of this size.

This is for a 40g breeder.

Contains mostly SPS (millies, le tyree soli, acros, fire coral), LPS (acans, frogspawn, candy canes), and some Armor of God zoas, toadstool leather, mint green palys

 

[rtparty]

Why are you looking to switch?

 

[rfd515]

1x 250w over a 40b is plenty

 

[Kirru]

more color and growth from corals mainly. 4x39w T5s are currently on the tank but not giving me the color i want and slow growth

 

[DC_40gallon]

Are you feeding the corals? Look into Coral Frenzy on drsfostersmith.com and Coral Accel by Kent.

Also a T5 fixture will allow you to have endless combinations. For instance (and thanks to The Grim Reefer) I ordered these bulbs yesterday (2 - ATI Blue +, 1 - KZ fiji purple and 1 - UV pure actinic).

Attached is another tank where I found this combo - looks so deep ocean like!

 

[rtparty]

more color and growth from corals mainly. 4x39w T5s are currently on the tank but not giving me the color i want and slow growth

What fixture and bulbs? T5's will grow anything you want them to. Especially in a shallow tank like a 40 Breeder.

I don't see the reason to spend a bunch of money when it may not be needed.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you arent happy with the growth from T5's don't bother with 150 watt halides, even a crappy T5 fixture will hang with them, get a 250.

 

[Kirru]

Here is what it looks like now, I forgot the bubls I have in there though I know 3 are Geisman bulbs.

i want more coloration out of the corals as well as growth... i dose Kent Marine PhytoPlex and ChromoPlex. I dose once a week and cycle between each product, also I may some times go to once every other week cycling between each product, depends on my schedule

 

[DRC69]

I just when from MH to T5 (8 bulb) setup and love it.
I needed to save some $$$ on the SCE bill.

 

[Kirru]

The bulbs are

Geisman Midday
Geisman Aquablue
Geisman Actinic+
Aquamedic Blue Ocean

 

[rtparty]

You should try out new bulbs first and go from there. New bulbs will run like $100 and a new MH setup could be at least double that.

Add some more blue. That tank looks really yellow/white on my monitor. Add some blue bulbs in there and I think that would do it.

I would try this;

ATI BLue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

I really like a tank I saw that had 3 Blue Plus and 1 Fiji Purple. It was pretty blue though.

 

[Kirru]

It looks like that cuz I used my phone to take the pic not my dslr cam... guess i should had. in life it looks whitish blue. i dont want to go overboard with the blue, just enough to get some of my millies, especially my blue millie, to color back up the way they were originally when i bought them. how bout adding another t5 fixture to 6 or 8 bulbs? more color choices then... that was the original plan.. should i go back to it?

 

[rtparty]

I just saw you posted your bulb combo. If those bulbs you have are newer then keep the Aquablue and Actinic Plus. Go get another Actinic Plus/ Blue Plus and a Fiji Purple.

 

[rtparty]

Adding more bulbs always helps IMO.

For my 40 gallon I just ordered an ATI Sunpower in the 6x24W version. I got 4 Blue Plus, 1 UVL Super Actinic, 1 GE 6500k and 1 Fiji Purple.

It should turn out just how I want it to and have plenty of PAR to keep SPS and clams.

I am bias towards T5 because of better color choices and less electricity. Also no heat to the tank will be nice.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

One of the more red lamps in place of the midday would be sweet on that tank, Fiji Purple would do it. I think I would change out the Aquamedic for a Blue Plus or another actinic plus too. They had some cheesy lamps for a time and you may have gotten a hold of one.

 

[Kirru]

yea, i am sure it is a cheezy one but till i can get out and get one, i have to stick with it... i think i have a local sponsor from ARC, my local club, who has some ati as well as some more geisman that i can check out and get some from.

What fixture does everyone recommend? I will either keep the 4 bulb one i have now and just add a 2 or 4 bulb fixture to it or buy a 6 or 8-bulb fixture to replace the one on the tank now... i have another tank, 20L i believe that the 4 bulb would be plenty to have on it but i think the tank is a turtle tank, will it do ok holding that amount of water?

thanks for the help guys