Light

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
C

cheeseburger

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 20, 2008
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Australia
It all depends on want you want in the tank.
 
Probably the halide, but i'm not sure i don't know much about lights.
 
energy and heat wise i'd say the T5.. ouput wise they are about the same
 
im thinking the halides now but not sure

how much evaporation would i get from each of the lights?

and would i need to buy a chiller if i got the halides?
would i if i got the t5s?
 
T5s will generaly give you the best bang for your buck and save you money down the road. A few reasons why:

Bulbs cost less
They emit less heat, reducing the need for a chiller
They will emit as much light as halides if using individual reflectors
They use less energy, making your electric bill cheaper, so you can get more coral.

Id suggest getting the ICECAP retro kit, only because you get the best ballast and best reflectors on the market, i suppose next to TEK.

If you did halides, you would need some form of blue lighting, even if you went with 14K bulbs. using halides and T5 together will give you a really nice look.

Ways you can battle heat are by having the tank as an open top, mount the lightin a wooden canopy with fans drawing are away from the tank. If your using a sump, you can also have a fan on the sump, blowing on the water. These methods may not keep you at ideal temps, and if they dont, you'll need to drop atleast 700 on a chiller for that size tank.

at a cost perspective, id get this light:

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...y~FILTFIT58U~category~48in_Units~vendor~.html

you get 8 bulbs, individual reflectors and you spend not that much at all. This light will allow you to keep SPS and even clams.
 
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