Lightings...Now that i wanna upgrade

[mAriNe_enthusiast]

Hey guys,

Currenly i'm using 2 PL 36 W plus 1 FL actnic for my 35 gal volume tank.

I have the urge to do something about my lighting as i think it's not enuff for my hard corals...I oso wanna to keep more light demanding clams and perhaps anemones in my tank. So the first thing i wanna to do will be to do a research on what i shd upgrade to.

Shd i upgrade to T5 or MH? I will very much love to upgrade to MH, the problem is i'm not using a chiller. I'm only using a fan to maintain my tank temp ~ 27 deg.

Is it possible to use MH without chiller? ( anyone?? )

Either i consider investing in a chiller or i will settle for T5.

Regarding T5, i am still considering whether to go for DIY kind or purchase offshelf.

I have read good reviews on ATI T5 lighting but the last thing i noe was that mani bros out there are still waiting for their orders to be delievered? I think the shipments are taking quite a while to reach? Hmm... shd i join in the wait or look for something else?

I welcome any suggestions/advices.

Thanks in advance.

Benson

[Cedric]

I would suggest 1 x 150w MH say maybe at 14k. You'll save in the long run as its cheaper to replace 1 MH bulb then the T5s/PL/FL, etc. The MH will allow you to keep a higher range of corals and at greater depth as well. The setback is heat which may be solved if you 1) high the MH higher, 2) get a dc fan to blow across the surface.

[mAriNe_enthusiast]

Currently i have a fan blowing directly across the surface and keeping temp ~ 27 deg ( @ it's highest ) But i worry it may shoot up shd i use a MH.

Are there any bros out there who are using MH but still able to maintain relatively low water temp low just by using fan?

If that is feasible i will seriously consider MH.

[Terryz_]

If your tank height is not very high... T5 might be suitable...

[FuEl]

You've got to take the ambient room temperature into account too..not just the fan. I can sustain my tank with a fan..but its also probably because my place is very windy..

You can try T5s. They kind of rock.

[ervine]

If not getting a chiller I recommend you go with T5s.. can probably still do with just a fan... PLs are even hotter than T5s I believe...

But for a 35gal... I think t5s can do quite alright...

But I did use my MH without chiller for quite some time... but temperature was usually around 29.. never hit above thirty so quite safe for softies..

I've added a chiller since though.. coz I wanted to try SPS out...

[mAriNe_enthusiast]

I think i will just make do with T5. Are there any recommended brand or shd i go for DIY? I heard ATI is not bad but gonna wait for the shipment ? Are there other brand to consider?

Thks again...

[ryan]

I think i will just make do with T5. Are there any recommended brand or shd i go for DIY? I heard ATI is not bad but gonna wait for the shipment ? Are there other brand to consider?

Thks again...

if i were you i'd DIY... just did mine up... to add on to my 150w mh...

the ballast end caps and tubes have been lying around my room for almost a year now! haha

it was pretty easy... just waiting to add a reflector...

all you need is the osram E-ballast and the enscaps...

you can choose from a wide range of bulbs now...

ATI, deltec, the one glare brings in, the one AT will be bringing in from germany with Bioocean...

save alot if you DIY.. IMO...

good luck!

[ervine]

if i were you i'd DIY... just did mine up... to add on to my 150w mh...

the ballast end caps and tubes have been lying around my room for almost a year now! haha

it was pretty easy... just waiting to add a reflector...

all you need is the osram E-ballast and the enscaps...

you can choose from a wide range of bulbs now...

ATI, deltec, the one glare brings in, the one AT will be bringing in from germany with Bioocean...

save alot if you DIY.. IMO...

good luck!

Me thinking of adding also... but ironically I want to pump in more yellowish or pure white light to offset my 20k BLV...

[mAriNe_enthusiast]

if i were you i'd DIY... just did mine up... to add on to my 150w mh...

the ballast end caps and tubes have been lying around my room for almost a year now! haha

it was pretty easy... just waiting to add a reflector...

all you need is the osram E-ballast and the enscaps...

you can choose from a wide range of bulbs now...

ATI, deltec, the one glare brings in, the one AT will be bringing in from germany with Bioocean...

save alot if you DIY.. IMO...

good luck!

HA... maybe i will try tat.

SInce it's e hols now, why not

Thks... Think gonna read thru all possible info available on diy T5 in the DIY column liao.

[xiggie]

i would recomend that u invest in a chiller first before upgrading your lights ....