T5 or MH for my 20L?

[Jarob]

My birthday is 2 weeks away (21st!!) and my mom said I can pick out a light for my fishtank. Well now the decision is T5 of MH? Ive always used MH and was thinking about trying out t5 but am not sure.

If I go t5 I would use a "CURRENT USA 30" SunDial T5 HO 4X24W + 2 Lunar" fixture

and if I went MH I would probably use a 150wHQI clip on light maybe or the "30 inch Current USA SunPod 1x150W 14K HQI-MH w/ 12 Lun"

Im not sure, all I know is I need to keep it around $200.

If you have any feedback or even a light for sale that would work, let me know!

-Jarob

P.S. Im looking for frags and LR!

[marshall.read]

for a setup of this size i would prolly opt for the t5 so that heat wouldn't be an issue. the 20L is also a pretty shallow tank so you definately don't require the punch of the metal halides to light it.

[chark]

+1 on the T5 for a shallow tank.

[brewercm]

I'd go T5 also, just my personal preference after dealing with both. You will loose the shimmer effect but my wallet told me it could live without it.

[g-ray]

I'd go T5 also, just my personal preference after dealing with both. You will loose the shimmer effect but my wallet told me it could live without it.

I will second that I like t5's

[FossilReef]

Watch out for those clip-on lights, they have some serious heat issues. I had a couple clients who went with those back up in Michigan who subsequently put some objects too close to them, with somewhat disastrous consequences. These were the Vipers, btw.

[fishypets]

T5's all the way!

[FossilReef]

BTW, IME, in a tank that shallow you don't need a 4x24w t5 system. Save yourself some electricity and go with a 2x24w system, like the Hagen GLO. Pretty much the best bang for your buck, that's what I have over a 20g high reef and I've even got a couple of pieces of sps in there that are doing well.
-Jason

Also if you need something until you figure out exactly what you want, I have either 65w PCs or a 250w MH that you can borrow for a while.

And your 21st is coming up, eh? Next time we go to Port A we'll have to hit up the brewery!

[coraline79]

I ran 2 hagen glo's (4xt5ho's) on my 30 long, and I removed one set leaving 2. It has worked out great.

[glennr1978]

I still have my sundial if you want it.