PC, T5, or VHO

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neddis

New Member
I have a 5 gallon nano that I just started and I love it! Now I want a 20 gallon at work. I have the tank already, it's a 20 high. (24" x 12" x 16") Now I am trying to figure out what light I want for it. I am looking at a Current USA 4x24w HO T-5 fixture or a 2x65w Power Compact fixture. I know the PC has more wattage, but is there an output difference between the two? I think the T-5s put out more lumens/watt, but I don't know where to check that. What would you guys go with? I was looking at a hellolights 2 x 75w VHO retrofit too. Would that be a better option? Oh yeah, heat will be an issue too since they don't seem to know how to get the thermostat in my classroom working.

I want to stock it with zoanthids, mushrooms, maybe a candy cane, but mostly with non-agressive softies I think.
 
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shaggydoo541

New Member
I'd say go MH especially with the deeper tank. If you want to keep good looking zoas MH is almost a must. PC is definitely a more affordable option and should still work fairly well for what you want to keep. T5s are a little more expensive but definitely better than PC.

When you say they can't control the temp in your classroom are we talking it gets too hot? If so, probably should go T5 as this is probably your lowest heat output choice.
 
EDGRAY

EDGRAY

New Member
Well for me the best choice is as shaggy mentioned will be MH with 2xVHO.. thats what i think alot of the best zoaskeeper or any coralkeepers use MH&VHO and they get the most amazing colors ever... but MH & PC will be fine too...but in order ill say VHO,T5's,PC any of those combined with MH and your tank will be assume and wont need to do a lighting upgrade later :D tell me about it i have been changing my light 3 times and just testing is alot of $$$$$ so if i were you just go with the MH with any of the other... HTH..


Eddy
 
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reefman23

New Member
If heat is an issue and you dont have plans for crocea clams and other super high-light corals, definitely go with the 4x24 watt t5 HO fixture, but I would look into the Tek t5 HO setup... their reflectors are superior to any other brand. the reflectors on t5's is what makes them such a good choice, and the teks have something like 99% reflectiveness. You are also right that t5's are less watts but put out more light.

VHOs have a short life because they are overdriven. the pcs are a good choice, but if MH werent an option for me, id go t5 hos without hesitating. They will give you alot of flexiblity and with 4 lamps, you can really come up with a color that you like.

Jesse
 
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neddis

New Member
Metal halide isn't really an option because of heat and especially cost. I don't want to go over $150 for the lighting. Thanks for the input. I will look into the Tek T5s. Shaggydoo, you are correct, it does get warm in my classroom. I am going to talk to the custodian before I do this because I know temp swings are bad.
 
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shaggydoo541

New Member
Temp swings are horrible. How hot are we talking? Many times a simple fan will easily cool a tank as long as your area is not too humid and the ambient temp of the room is not higher than the temp you are keeping the tank. But the fan will cause excessive evaporation.
 
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neddis

New Member
Last year I had a freshwater tank in there and the temp was 82 with the heater unplugged. I know how bad temp swings are, and I probably will do a freshwater tank with some fish that like warm water if the custodian can't get the temp stable. It's not humid here so the fan idea could work. I don't want to deal with evaporation though because we have a 4 day school week (teachers have to come in on some fridays though) and so I would not be there for 2 or 3 days a week. I have to top off my 5 gallon nano twice a day, so I am a little aprehensive about this one without a fan and normal evaporation.

Oh yeah, tek t5s are too expensive. I might as well go with metal halide. They are somwhere around $220 without bulbs! Thanks for the tip though.
 
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reefman23

New Member
Pcs may be just what you need then. This is for a 20L right? The 2x65 watters would be good. Look into the Current USA Satellite fixtures... good quality, built-in fans and moonlights. They even have legs to sit on top of the tank.

Jesse
 
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Anonymous

Guest
hi i'm a teacher too :) school starts tuesday :(
i have the coralife version of the fixture jesse mentioned and it is perfect for that tank and relatively cheap (~115$) as far as quality lighting goes
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/P ... 004+113345)
- i use it on my 20 high and keep most corals in it including zoas but they never glow like they do in my 125 with VHO lighting or in my figi tank with MH lighting but they do fine. mushrooms, candies, branching hammer/frogspawn, and most softies like kenya tree will also do well in this tank.
as far as the long weekend goes i have a 5 day week but have never had any trouble with evaporation, but if you find that you do you can always do an ato set up.
as far as temp goes 82 will be fine if you run hotter then that get another fan - but the fixture i recomended has built in ones
and if you keep only a couple small fish feeding will not be an issue either as long as you wait a couple months before adding them so the tank builds up a nice planktonic load - i never worry about feeding my clowns on the weekends, and even on holiday breaks i may only go in once to take care of them - most people way over feed their fish.
 
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