[reefcouple]

Metal Halide lamps have a strong blue spectrum, which promotes short stocky vegetative growth. The Agro Sun Classic bulb has 38%, the Agro Sun Gold has 49%, and the Sun Master Warm Deluxe has 50 percent more red light spectrum than a regular Metal Halide lamp. This will result in increased flowering and production from plants. These bulbs allow you to grow different plants at various stages of growth, while only using one lamp.

These high tech fixtures are fitted with the Ultra efficient high output T-5 bulb. Each bulb puts out 5000 LUMENS! Fitted in a 95% reflective aluminum inserts that increase output by over 300%. Fully enclosed electronic ballasts equipped with 2 switches (4,6 & 8 lamp units) for better lighting control. Engineered for cool operation with virtually no noise. These systems are available with either 6500 Kelvin-cool or 3000 Kelvin-warm bulbs. Each light is available with either 6500 Kelvin - Cool bulbs or 3000 Kelvin Warm bulbs. Don't forget to add the AddOn for which bulb package you want (Warm or Cool) when ordering a system.

Watts Type Life Hours Lumens Price Qty Add to Cart
1000 Universal 9,000 110,000 $64.95
1000 (U) Super Bulb XL 9,000 115,000 $79.95
1000 Metal Halide 9,000 115,000 $84.95
1000 (HOR) Warm Deluxe (Sunmaster) 12,000 117,000 $99.95
1000 (U) Cool Deluxe (Sunmaster)(6000K) 9,000 80,000 $119.95
1000 (U) Warm Deluxe (Sunmaster) 12,000 133,000 $104.95
1000 Metal Halide 9,500 80,000 $189.95
400 Universal 15,000 36,000 $39.95
400 (HOR) Super Bulb 20,000 40,000 $59.95
400 Metal Halide 15,000 33,000 $99.95
400 (HOR) Warm Deluxe (Sunmaster) 20,000 40,000 $69.95
400 (U) Cool Deluxe (Sunmaster)(6500K) 15,000 32,500 $109.95
250 Universal 12,000 21,000 $34.95
+++++++175 Universal 12,000 12,000 $34.95++++++++++
175 (HOR) Super Bulb 12,000 15,000 $49.95
175 (U) Daylight Bulb 5500K 9,000 12,000 $74.95
100 (U) Universal 12,000 9,000 $34.95

12,000 lumens for 1 bulb, plus we all know the magic for vegitation is in the blue spectrum, and really its all in my own experience in comparing apples to apples.....

so we can go purchase a $300 t-5 light fixture with 8 bulbs to try and get out of what we will with 1 metal halide and still not get there...

Believe me when i say that i use both HID and t-5's, the t-5's have their purpose but still just wont suffice in an aquarium imo.

It's really a matter of opinion, but i chose the halides for an aqaurium...

[NATIVEVAMAN]

First of all I have to give it to you for being immaginative.I have never heard of anyone useing vegetaqble growth as a defense for metal halides.Second of all t-5 bulbs cover the same spectrum that mh does with the acception of 20000k.kelvins are kelvins.Color temperature is color temperature no matter what bulb it comes from.T-5 has sufficient par to grow coral and clams down to 19 inch's.T-5 vho will do the same down to 29 inch's.I will tell you that I used mh for a few years,and before that an assortment of incandescent bulbs and I can say that I am glad I dont have to deal with them any more.What does the price list have to do with anything,since t-5 ulbs last 4 times as long and cost a lot less?

[pogodzib]

Since I've always favored MH over T5s on my tanks, I hate to have to agree with Dale here, but I will. With the benefits that T5 bulbs can provide over shorter tanks, I think T5 HO bulbs are usually the best choice for tanks that are 18" deep or less. For taller tanks, I still prefer MH. It will be interesting to see what happens once the T5 VHO bulbs become more popular. BTW - I was thinking the same thing about the plant bulbs.

[reefcouple]

metal halie producing the bluer spectrum is what i was getn at, mh=vegitation growth...

that was a print out on a supplier i use for our indoor gardens, we supply for a couple farm/gardens...

MH=vegitation
HPS=bloom

t5's are great lights, dont get me wrong, or get "punchy" because someone has a different approach...

I personally wouldn't expect much from t-5's in my reef set up... just not enough penetration..

I use my t-5's for seedlings and it works for that but not much else, i pull the big guns out for results, HID's...

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I am not getting "punchy" in the least for the most part we disagree very well around here.But you did miss my point.A 7000k mh bulb is the same color as a 7000k t-5.

[reefcouple]

maybe i just haven't crossed over to t5's completely yet????? maybe i should check into it a little more, but as far as what i do in gardening i just cant see it measuring up in "yield"??? so i go with that in my reef as well.. but i will agree that ballasts can be a pain in the ass...

[pogodzib]

It took me a while as well to come to the conclusion that T5 bulbs have their use in reef tanks. When they first came out, I was trying to figure out if they were really a benefit over PC or VHO lighting. But, I know people that love them and use them over SPS only tanks so I know that they work. Would I put them over a tank that was taller than 18" - not yet, but, with the T5 VHOs coming out, they may be a benefit over deeper tanks real soon.

BTW - For plant growth, are you using standard T5 lighting or T5 HO lighting with individual reflectors like are being used over reef tanks. The individual reflector make a huge difference, which is why there is a big difference in performance between the cheap T5 HO units and the good units.

[reefcouple]

I use the t-5 ho's, they are great great lights for my seedlings, they provide the perfect amount of heat and just enough lumens the plant requires to grow. But when it comes to the flowering (blooming and yield) nothing (yet for me) has compared to HPS, granted i use 1000 watt HPS for that cycle.

Ya know, i wouldn't mind someday to try the t-5's for my tank, everyone here seems to think they work great, it would be nice to be "ballast free"..

But here's a question about t-5's.. what color combination is people using? I currently use 2-150 MH, which gives me alot of room for my 4x96 (2 blues and 2 actinics)..

Thanks

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I most often recomend a 50/50 mix of 12 or 14k's and actinics.If you are looking to go ballast free with t-5 it wont happen.

[reefcouple]

so even the t-5's your using has a ballast? (outside the internal ballast), not the large external types used for HID lighting.

the t-5's i use for my seedlings has an iinternal ballast. can you post a link that shows what kind of lighting your using?

thanks again.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

T5HO Retro Kits - DIYReef

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Other than compact flourescent bulbs for home use I know of no flourescent that uses a built in ballast.

[reefcouple]

Here Dale, check these lights out.. great lights but alot different from what your using, these are what i'm using..

Tell me your thoughts..

T 5 Fluorescent Bulb Grow Lights, Tek 5 Fluorescent Grow Lights, Sunlight Supply Tek 5 Fluorescent Lights, Sunlight Supply Aquarium Lighting, Plant Grow T5 Lighting

[NATIVEVAMAN]

They are exactly the same as the aquarium fixtures.At least I see no physical difference.Maybe a k value difference but that would be it.

[reefcouple]

great lights but mine plugs directly into the wall. no external ballast...

[NATIVEVAMAN]

If you look inside the fixture you will find 2 or 3 very long thin ballasts.Some are almost as long as the fixture.

[pogodzib]

Tek units are really good units. The only units that are better are the Aquatinics.

Even the Tek T5 HO units have ballasts, they are just built into the fixture, like any PC lighting unit is. If you click on the any of the fixtures link, under specifications you will see "Major brand programmed rapid start electronic ballast"

[NATIVEVAMAN]

You have to love those aquactinics but the last time I heard anything about them they were so oversold they were not giving probable delivery dates.

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by pogodzib

It took me a while as well to come to the conclusion that T5 bulbs have their use in reef tanks. When they first came out, I was trying to figure out if they were really a benefit over PC or VHO lighting. But, I know people that love them and use them over SPS only tanks so I know that they work. Would I put them over a tank that was taller than 18" - not yet, but, with the T5 VHOs coming out, they may be a benefit over deeper tanks real soon.
BTW - For plant growth, are you using standard T5 lighting or T5 HO lighting with individual reflectors like are being used over reef tanks. The individual reflector make a huge difference, which is why there is a big difference in performance between the cheap T5 HO units and the good units.

T5s are here to stay and can do anything in a 24" deep tank. If you dont believe me...talk to this guy...This was 3 YEARS AGO!!!!! COMON LETS GET UP TO SPEED HERE!!! Quality T5s can bleach things you put in a reef tank and you need to be careful with your lamp selection!

Not picking on you Brian just using your post.

Tank of the Month - March 2005 - Reefkeeping.com

[pogodzib]

I know that you're not picking on me and that they can be used on tanks taller than 18" but, I still PREFER MH on tanks taller than 18". Part of the reason is because of the penetration that MH provide and part of the reason is that you loose the shimmer with T5's that MH bulbs provide.

BTW, here's a quote from the TOTM winning tank posted above.

One of the keys to getting good results with T5 bulbs, I believe, is to keep your SPS no more than 18" from the light source. For intensely colored SPS (i.e. reds, blues, pinks, neon yellows), I keep them less than 10" away. The T5 bulbs are no more than three inches from the water surface.

BTW- He has 8-54w T5 HO bulbs over his 22" tall tank and he runs his lights 11 hours per day. How many people do you know that run their halides that long? I have recently increased my MH lighting to 6 hrs/day, from my previous photo period of 5 hrs/day.

This is where Dale steps in on Jim's side. I can't make this conversation too easy for Jim and Dale to make their point.

[reefcouple]

I have to agree with Brian, i use HID lighting for our plants all the time, and i do also use HO T-5's, and the t-5's have their purpose but not the penetration any HID lighting with comparable wattage will have (imo), and that also goes with the research i have done, speaking with lighting experts. If you would like to, feel free to contact midwesthydroponics and speak with any of the sales team there.

As an example, i have a 1000 watt HPS with a hortilux bulb, (145,000 lumens), an individual bulb 48' long t-5 HO will produce at most 5,000 lumens. on an 8 bulb system your very best is 40,000 lumens.

And that goes for all comparisons, just a smaller scale.

I like t-5's and they may work for your tank, but i prefer HID lights..

[pogodzib]

Originally Posted by reefcouple

As an example, i have a 1000 watt HPS with a hortilux bulb, (145,000 lumens), an individual bulb 48' long t-5 HO will produce at most 5,000 lumens. on an 8 bulb system your very best is 40,000 lumens.

Man, I hate being on both sides of this one. No, I don't think the T5 HO can beat out MH for penetration at this time, but I feel that I should mention a couple things. First off, not many reefers use 1,000w MH bulbs. Secondly, lumens are an indicator on how bright we see a light as being, which is of little relevance to the corals.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

The Atlanta aquarium uses 14 1000 watt bulbs,and even 400 watt bulbs are rare.Outside of those 2 applications there is nothing a t-5 cant do in aquarium applications.Sodium vapor is sometimes used in aquariums but I personaly have never seen one over a tank or seen a bulb for them listed for sale.We are not comparing apples and oranges,we are comparing apples and hand grenades lol.

[reefcouple]

I agree on being on "both sides".. I like and use HO t-5's for a seperate application (my seedlings), and they work great. I use MH's for my aquarium 2-150's, and who knows i may end up someday with some t-5's for the tank??, and if it works, i'll be happy to eat crow for dinner lol

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I have an excelent recipe for crow,however it doesnt involve any feather plucking lol.