best lighting for a reef tank that will not break the bank

[darklcd]

Hey all,

I have been out for a while and I had a tank pretty much drop in my lap and my wife and I want to set up a reef with softies maybe a few lps and fish. I have thought about clams as well but I am not sure yet as I am not looking for a huge set up just enough lighting to keep everything healthy. I know there is more to it then just lighting but that will be another post when I start looking into frags.

Can any one help me out here.

Thanks

 

[returnofsid]

For soft corals and some LPS, Compact Fluorescents would probably be sufficient. However, CF lighting is becoming obsolete and soon, bulbs will be difficult to find.

I'd recommend T5HO, which, with the proper reflectors and coverage, would allow you to grow anything you want, including SPS/Clams/Anemones.

 

[Myteemouse]

A dual MH fixture will actually be cheeper even if you get the cheep T-5 fixture the bulb replacement will KILL YOUR WALLET!! at 25-35 bucks a pop..

 

[returnofsid]

A dual MH fixture will actually be cheeper even if you get the cheep T-5 fixture the bulb replacement will KILL YOUR WALLET!! at 25-35 bucks a pop..

LOL Hogwash!

Let's say, for instance, this is a 75 gallon tank. A 4 bulb Tek5 fixture would cost about $320.00 with bulbs, a 6 bulb Tek5 would run about $415.00 with bulbs. Replacement bulbs, once a year, would run approximately $84.00 - $126.00 per year, depending on if you'd purchased the 4 or 6 bulb fixture. These are for quality ATI bulbs @ approximately $21.00 each. The 4 bulb fixture would be running 216 watts, the 6 bulb fixture, 324 watts.

With 2X250MH, a decent fixture and ballast would run you close to $600.00. If you went with pendants, you'd be looking at $500.00 for 2 pendants, plus $200.00 for a couple ballasts. MH bulbs should be replaced at closer to 8 months, where T5HO bulbs can easily last 12 months without near as much degradation. Quality SE MH bulbs will run you about $60.00 each.
2X250MH would run 500 watts so would cost more in electricity.

Since you've mentioned that you want to grow soft corals and LPS, there's no reason to go to the extreme of 2X250MH. With 4XT5HO, over a 75, you can grow any soft coral or LPS and even some SPS. With 6XT5HO, over a 75, you could grow anything you want.

T5HO also gives you MUCH more color combinations to work with than MH, though you won't get a shimmer effect, with T5HO.

 

[NWDiver]

You can find decent deals on used T-5 or Halide fixtures. Either will do the job.
Decent 54watt T-5 bulbs are about $25 each and you would need 5 to do the job of a single 250w HQI so about $125 vs a 250w HQI at ~$75 per bulb.
Halide bulb prices are more economical.
T-5 Does use less power and create less heat so they make a bit up there...
I rather like the look of Halide so that is my choice.

 

[NWDiver]

Hahahaha, posted at the same time with different results.
By your own math, a single halide 250w is $60 per year, and a 4 bulb T5 216w would be $84
More for less... or about the same if you change your halides before 12 months.
No argument at all with the rest of it!

 

[returnofsid]

No. my price included 2 mh bulbs, at 60 each, to get the same coverage as the 6T5 bulbs. Not sure where you're getting 5 bulbs equal 1 mh bulb, but that's far from accurate. A 6 bulb t5 fixture will light a 75 well enough to grow anything, I've done it. You'd need 2 mh bulbs to get the same coverage and penetration.

 

[NWDiver]

Not arguing the efficacy of T5, just the cost. By your math 2 250 watt HQI would be $120 for 500 watts vs $126 for 6 54 watt T5 at 324 watts.
Leaving aside the original question of which is better for the OP's tank, I agree with mouse that Halide bulbs are cheaper watt for watt.
The OP did not say the size of his tank...

 

[returnofsid]

When comparing lighting, it's not realistic to compare watt for watt. 324 watts of T5HO will provide just as good of lighting and coverage as 500 watts of MH lighting, at less of a initial investment and a lower monthly power bill. Bulb replacement cost is also less expensive, with T5HO, since bulbs will realistically last 12 months, with minor degradation of light output. MH bulbs show significant degradation of output, at about 6 months and should be replaced every 8 months.

LOL as you can tell, I'll debate the benefits of T5HO until I'm blue in the face. I have run T5HO for 7 years now and been very satisfied. I'm currently running 10X54 watts of T5HO, over my 200 deep dimension, and can grow high light demanding Acropora, on the sand bed. That's 540 watts, but covering an area that 2X250MH wouldn't adequately cover.

 

[dnjan]

Commercial lighting (high-ceiling manufacturing facilities) were dominated for years by MH lighting.
Today, T5HO is the preferred lighting for the same application.

These guys do the numbers very carefully (and probably didn't change their MH bulbs as often as aquariasts tend to), and they decided T5HO was better.

Given the good range of T5HO bulb colours available these days, it is hard to argue against T5HO in the discussion versus MH.
And that isn't even factoring in the extra issues of dealing with MH heat.

 

[1guydude]

u can get a oddsyea light fixture for cheap and cna keep lps and spofties with it! Id get a 4bulb system!

 

[darklcd]

For the record the tank is a 120 gal (72 x 19 x 24). I have had MH before and I didn't mind them but the fixture I has was huge and I did not like the "bulk" of it. If T5 will do the job and allow me ot grow what I want I will be happy with that for sure.

 

[TJL]

What! No comments on LED's :jaw: The lighting debates will probably never end in this hobby and really boils down to which/what kind of look that appeals to you. I like the look of the MH lighting but not the units themselves especially quality reflectors requiring 12-18" tall canopies + heat issues etc... Have ran VHO's for well over 20 years now with great results though wish that I had switched to T5HO's with last setup. So many more lamp options to play with and with 4-6-8 bulb fixtures you can as Michael said grow anything you want and as far as replacement its better for your corals & wallet to replace only 1 or 2 at a time. Fortunately or unfortunately I'm leapfrogging the T5 technology and going with LED's on my newest build, time will tell....
One more option for you is (if your lighting is housed in a canopy or ?) 4-6 lamp T5 Retro Kit then add a LED 'Stunner' type strip or DIY in front for that shimmer look

Cheers, Todd

 

[donrando]

For your re-descent into the hobby, I would say go with t5 bulbs. Strictly because I think halides wold be too much lighting for softies and LPS, not to mention the excessive heat factor. The t5s are warm, but no where NEAR the heat the halides put off.

You could go LED's, as there are a number of different fixtures and pendants out now for half way decent pricing, and virtually never a need to change out the bulbs. LED's give you great shimmer, NO heat, and a great amount of light for sure. It really is all up to you. Good luck!

 

[returnofsid]

Unfortunately LED doesn't fit into the anti bank breaking category lol.

 

[T1tan360]

well leds are cheaper in the long run so i dont see how its not in the budget saving plan. not to mention its saves on electric bill as well more money for fish and corals.

 

[darklcd]

I would like to look at the led lights but every one I see is way too much cash I take it they have not yet come down in price

 

[T1tan360]

Yes the units are expensive. It's always cheaper to build your own . Same goes for retrofits with t-5 and metal halides