T5 Vs Metal Halides

[saltwaterfanatic]

Hi i am wondering if this light fixture would be good: t5 light
Also my tank is a 55 gallon. I could either have this or one 250 watt metal halide bulb over my tank? Which would be better? And I want to keep lps, softys, some sps, and maybe a clam. Lastly if i do get the metal halide how far should it be from the waters surface? 3 inches? My tank is 24 inches deep. Thanks!

 

[ben1987]

the halide would give you more light intensity than that T5 unit.

what length is your tank?

T5s are good whyen you have lots of tubes 6+ and each tube has its own reflector...not all under one big one

 

[saltwaterfanatic]

Ok my tank is 48x24x12 and would the t5 light that i want be able to sustain a clam and sps?
My linkwhat about this t5 light?

 

[saltwaterfanatic]

which of these two lights would be better?
My link1
My link2

 

[-Nemo-]

Don't believe odyssea have individual reflectors... especially since it says "Highly Polished Reflector"
they are also not known to be "high quality" units either...

No way your tank will be able to support SPS with only one reflector.

Basically, you get what you pay for. That fixture is cheap for a reason.

 

[saltwaterfanatic]

Ok thanks im going to go with one 250 watt metal halide. And my tank is 18 inches deep not 24 sorry. One question though how high above the water should it be? And will the center brace on my tank with the metal halide over top of it melt?

 

[saltwaterfanatic]

is this light any good?My link

 

[ben1987]

if it where me id go for twin 150w halides over a 4 foot tank. at that depth it would support some SPS aswel.

you would end up with a large shaded area at both ends using just one bulb

 

[saltwaterfanatic]

if it where me id go for twin 150w halides over a 4 foot tank. at that depth it would support some SPS aswel.

you would end up with a large shaded area at both ends using just one bulb

Ok thanks i may do that!