Well, looks like ghetto is back

[Bifferwine]

Originally Posted by ccCapt

I don't claim to be an electric expert by any means, but doesn't 200w cost the same to run wether it's a 200w light bulb, 200w microwave or 200w heater? A MH ballast may pull more power to fire the bulbs, but once they are lit, how does a watt of light from that cost more than a watt of anything else?

You need fewer watts of T5s than MH to get the same result. You also need a lot more power in terms of cooling for MH. MH get really really hot and you need to cool them somehow. You don't use nearly as much energy to cool T5s because they don't heat up. Using MH instead of T5s translated into a higher monthly AC bill for me too, because my dining room was getting hotter from the lights.

[Bifferwine]

Originally Posted by ccCapt

Typically, a 48" 54w T5 bulb runs about $20. 3x54=162w @ $60. 1 175w MH runs about $60. Basically the same price.

It's a standard recommended that MH bulbs get changed out every 6 months, and T5 get changed out every 12 months. Yes, there is disagreement about this, but that's what's commonly recommended. Plus, one watt of T5 does not equal one watt of MH. You need less wattage in T5s to equal the function of MH.

[ccCapt]

This debate on MH vs T5 has been going on forever and it's still ongoing on RC.

You need fewer watts of T5s than MH to get the same result.

Really? I'm a firm believer in test results and PAR. I never really looked, but can you show where comparison tests have been done? I'm not a believer in the..I heard it from him and he said she said they heard it somewhere.

MH get really really hot and you need to cool them somehow.

The fact is a watt is a watt and gives off same amout of heat whether it's a 100w light bulb or a 100w fan.

It's a standard recommended that MH bulbs get changed out every 6 months, and T5 get changed out every 12 months.

I think Sanjay Joshi is the most respected mh/reef lighting expert there is. His tests show the results. I don't think there is any debate there. I don't know who or where it was recommend mh bulbs be changed every 6 months.

I really don't want to argue or debate this and I think I said enough

[Bifferwine]

I understand what you are saying, but T5s DO run cooler than MH. MH heat the room up big time. My AC has to run pretty much 24/7 to keep the dining room livable because the lights put off so much heat.

Anyone that has ever used both T5s and MH can tell you that there is a huge difference in the heat output between the two types of lights.

[Melonbob]

Sorry guys, I wasn't trying to knock MH lighting, it has been the standard forever in reefing, its just I REALLY wanted this T5 fixture. My wife woke up shortly after my post this morning, and looked at me and said, "Let me see all these lights you want" So I took her through all the options and in the end she told me not to buy something I didn't want this time. I never gave her a chance to reconsider! So I got what I wanted in the end, and we'll manage....lol!

So these are my new lights! The are Sfiligoi Stealth T5, 8X80W, and I just love em! They have 4 variable speed fans that rev up or down according to temp in the hood, the splash guard is tempered glass instead of plexi, and they are as purdy as it gets!

[dustin_P74]

how much did that beauty set you back

[dustin_P74]

nevermind, i found out.

[Melonbob]

how much did you figure out? I didn't pay full retail for it

[dustin_P74]

full retail is 1600, so i guess i didnt figure it out

[ccCapt]

Very nice setup. You'll definitely be happy with those.

Sorry guys, I wasn't trying to knock MH lighting, it has been the standard forever in reefing, its just I REALLY wanted this T5 fixture.

No reason to be sorry. I think everyone can agree in some situations T5 is better, in some both work equally as well and in some MH is better.