Changing Lights - effects ??

Gday guys

currently using 2 x 250 watt metal halides . But with the cost of electricity these days and the need for short term solution, that is cost effective im looking at T'5 lights,

tank is a 4 x 2 x 2 appx

im looking at operating 4-6 high output tubes. I do like the strong atinic lighting

i dont stock montis or other plating type corals. Just torches, hammers , goniporas rics, mushies, xenias, zoos and leathers. Clam is going to be housed in my mates huge display tank at his LFS.

Do you suspect any concerns??

None at all

Nope, sounds like a good move.

Look at the cost an availabilty of the T5 bulbs in comparison to the halides. If you can afford to order spare bulbs, as they sometimes are out of stock when you need them, I would buy extra. If this is not an issue, than give em a go.

What T5 unit are you looking at? I have the DeLighting unit that Michael at reefing life sells. It's not a bad unit, and run ATI bulbs.

You should be fine but i would still take the time to acclimate everything to the new lighting.

I agree with Chris and still photoacclimate the corals to the new lighting....I would go with 6 bulb w/ individual reflectors for each bulb. This way you will have more light then you need and won't have to upgrade if there are things you might want to keep in the future....Not to mention a 6 bulb T-5 might actually be higher in par then the 2 MH that you are running. With so many choices in T-5 lighting you can really get a bulb combo that will make the colors pop out of the tank....Plus if you ever want to get the calm back you will have enough light with the T-5s to keep it.


I had a ric pack all ready for you.....You just had to send the clam....Ooh well.....LOL.

Gday guys


The unit i have ordered is this.

Octopus Horizon 4000 4ft 4x54W T5HO

what do you think??

it dosent have individual reflectors, which in hindsight would be nice if it did. I will post a picture when i get it on the tank.

I also have another T5 unit with two tubes with decent reflectors so i will use this as well .



ozzie recently converted to T5's and he loves them! will let you know how i go guys thanks for your valued input

Originally Posted by Azurel

I agree with Chris and still photoacclimate the corals to the new lighting....I would go with 6 bulb w/ individual reflectors for each bulb. This way you will have more light then you need and won't have to upgrade if there are things you might want to keep in the future....Not to mention a 6 bulb T-5 might actually be higher in par then the 2 MH that you are running. With so many choices in T-5 lighting you can really get a bulb combo that will make the colors pop out of the tank....Plus if you ever want to get the calm back you will have enough light with the T-5s to keep it.


I had a ric pack all ready for you.....You just had to send the clam....Ooh well.....LOL.

your such a tease! and to think i was happy to sell it for $250 ,, owell hehehe.

I have the old style 2 bulb unit, similar to the led style. I think there's nothing wrong with these lights.

I think it's a smart choice Nick and am interested to hear your opinion on it once it's set up......would also be interested in seeing the effect they have on your tank!

Hey Nick have you got your T5's yet?

Hi guys!

just took delivery this morning and have got it up and running now

It appears my tank is 50 mls longer then a standard 4 ft tank lol. Unable to clamp the lights on its edges I have had to rest it on its stands on some cover glass plates.

Overall the lighting of four tubes produces enough glow to cover all corners of the tank. It is a soft glow compared to the super brightness of a new metal halide. With that said i think its very comparable to my xm's metal bulbs after a few months of use.

Lights have been on for about 2 hours and all corals including the clam have come out of sleep mode.

I think I will utilise the extra 2 blue globes however.

after running about for new cover glass i have now also got the additional two tubes going so that is 6 in total.

I have 4 blue tubes and 2 white 10 k tubes.

funnily enough its not as blue as you would think. Picture taken without flash hence the blur



I really need to watch over this now, Ill probably get another 2 x 10 k tubes next week.

You might find that the 10k tubes will give you way to much yellow....There are some great 14k style bulbs out there that will give you light in the daylight range but not as yellow....What brand are you using? Me myself I like the icey white as opposed to the deep blue of 20k....Or the yellow of 10k...

I want some pics of that orange hammer......A lfs is getting some in next week possibly, plan on adding one to my tank.

above view to give you an idea on the size of these units

As requested mate pic below

admittedly I really like the current colour! of the tubes. Tube type aqua force tubes in the 4 unit. hagen lifes I suspect in the 2 tube unit

I will persist with this until i get a negative reaction from the corals.. Rics look awsum

The color you have right now looks great comparing it to the colors of the hammer....That is one sweet looking hammer.....I need one bad after looking at yours.

Looks pretty nice Nick!!

and to think i offered it to Thinking Reef as a free bee ages ago, im glad you turned it down mate lol