Z3R013

Thanks:Z3R013 ;scuba

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sirdarksol

Without seeing the lights themselves, I can't be sure, but it's likely either Metal Halide or pretty big Compact Flourescent.

Fla_Larry

and that sure is one pretty tank

Z3R013

I really want my future tank to have that kind of lighting. I've seen some others that look similar, that have a coral life t-5 bulb. Does anyone know if coral life t-5 is a Metal Halide or a 'pretty big Compact Flourescent?'

Can anyone with a coral life confirm whether it looks like this tank?

I'm just trying to research as much as I can before I go all out. Thanks for the help

Wyphy

'T5' is only an indication that it is a fluorescent tube 5/8" in diameter.
Metal halide is a different type of lamp.
So the Coralife T5 is not a halide lamp, but a fluorescent lamp.

Not actually seeing the lamps makes it very hard to tell, since in theory, if two lamps have the same lumen and color temperature output, you can't tell them apart by seeing just their light on a surface.

cerianthus

MH, T5, PC are all different type of lighting.

W/ MH,, should see shadow of water movement (agitatin on surface) w/ room lights off which I found to be very relaxing, at least for me. Powerful (high electric bill, 150 W, 250w, 400W bulb) but make sure not to look directly into light, especially children. Google for more info.

T5 came into market after i took my tanks down but they are just another type of fluorescent bulb. T5, T8, and T12 (?) are all types FLO bulbs where T5 are the thinnest in diameter. Can hook up more light bulbs w/ T5 w/o taking up as much space on top compared to T8, T12 and I think T5 bulb is more powerful than its T8, T12 .(if 48" T8, T12 are 40W but same length T5 may be 58W).

PC (power compact ) is modified incandescent lighting to simulate florescence. At Home Depot, you could find compact flo bulb which can deliver same intensity as 100W incandescent bulb but uses only 23W (energy saver). Similar if not same principle.

Unless doing full blown Dutch Aquarium (live plant w/ CO2 injection), MH is somewhat overkill. You may have similar result using T5 w/o spending big bucks, not to mention Electric bill). Used to do it w/ T8, T12 with proper color temp (6500-6700K) and full spectrum bulbs. Dont know if still availble, but Vitalite was one of those bulb. Cant rememer the rest. Since most plant bulbs are yellowish to green, added Actinic lighting to enhance the neon colors of Cardinal, Rummy, Cory Cats, etc in Dutch.

Although PC is brighter than and better looking than common flo bulbs, it seems it is fading from the hobby, at least on s/w side. It seems replacement bulbs are not that readily available.

Thus, would start w/ T5 for F/W and/or S/W wether it may be full blown Dutch or Reef.

Z3R013

Awesome, thanks a lot...that's a good point on saving money on the electric bill (I didn't even think about that) I think I like the look of the flo on the white substrate.

Speaking of which- which is the best white sand (or small grain) substrate for a beginner?

I see people using white aquarium small rock, Aragonite Sand, Crushed Coral, and white play sand. I've read about the pros and cons with the white substrate (i.e. shows dark matter, cleaning issues) but it seems like every kind of substrate has its benefits and issues. Is one better than all the others?

Thanks for the info.