MH vs. T5... Why so much push for MH...

[neogenix]

So, I've been doing a ton of research, I'm a pretty big fan of running just T5's, and from what I can tell, it's actually not the evil some folks make it out to be. What I'm wondering at the moment what the big push for MH is, when a huge number of the best tanks online are T5 only, here're some examples:

http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17270
http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16420
http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15687
http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14565
http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12347
http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19071

So why does everyone seem to be so set on me running MH on my new tank? I'm currently thinking 6x54W (52"x21"x24", 115G, give or take) which would be split into 3 white, 2 blue, and 1 fiji, or royal blue, or similar... based on the feedback I get of course

So comments?

[kkiel02]

I think the biggest push is the depth that mh can penetrate. At 24" you could go either way. I did mh because I could set it up pretty cheap with pendants.

[allan]

Yeah,I spent a few shiney pennies on my tank. I have ten tubes under the hood, each with it's own tek reflector.

[ReefCube]

i run t-5 on my tank but i would have to say it is cheaper to run halides unless you want a cheap t5 fixture that only does soft corals. The good t5 lights cost a lot of money $600 + where you can get a really nice halide fixture for about $300. halide bulbs usually last longer than t5 atleast thats what I hear I replace mine about every 6 months at $20 a bulb it adds up. Also shimmer is a look that many people like and that is only done with halides. T5s are cooler so many people dont need to buy chillers where people with halides usually do in most cases.. Halides are not bad best bang for the buck it at all just depends on what you like and how much you want to spend.

[alton]

My 300 = 3 x 250w MH and 1 - 160w VHO = $210 for lamps and 988 watts used / If I changed to T5HO 20 x 39w T5HO = 20 x $20 = $400 for lamps and 788 watts used but my tank is 27 inches tall and may not be enough light? I use T5HO on my 29 but it is 20" tall. Most tanks I have seen with T5HO are gorgeous with the different color lamps but are in the 20" range in height.

[rockmp]

Has anyone ever done the math for power consumption on MH? I wonder in the long run if it would be cheaper for T5's?

[hobogato]

one of the nicest tanks i have ever seen was bernie's 240 gallon with only t5 lights. he had basketball sized sps colonies!!

[Big_Pun]

I've talked to some people who have done both and I've done both, from my experience and from people I've talked with t5 is great but power seems to fall after a couple months so you need to buy fresh bulbs, also for less than half the price I was able to buy one MH pendent and ballast and bulb and I like the shimmer and my tank is 24" tall.

[ballardjr2000]

I run T-5's on my 90g 8 54w bulbs 4 12k 4 blue actinic I am switch over to a different MH fixture for better depth penatration. And the shimmer is awesome to see.

[Europhyllia]

I will stick with all T5s until I am able to afford LEDs
No point in spending money to heat up my tank with my lights