Opinions on my options for lighting my 110g tall.

**PUNISHER VETTE** · 02-02-2009, 01:53 AM

Well i may be able to sell my 48" 260w power compact lighting. It's for my 110g tall which as most know i use to grow plants...lots of them.

Now I'm trying to debate what are my options that aren't going to cost me too much. Now my lights need to be replaced on my PC so selling it now would help put that money towards a different one.

I'll assume LED lighting is out of the question.

Since it's a 30" tall tank I'm sure metal halide would be an option. I saw a link to a 500w dual MH on ebay for $200. Now I would be committed to building my own if it got me something better for cheaper.

I kinda remember T5 HO lights don't need to be replaced? Only problem is I only found 216w ones on ebay.

Anyway. Would any of these options be better then what i have now? or worth spending money on them at least?

**cocoa_pleco** · 02-02-2009, 04:01 AM

T5's are a good option, the 4x54w (216w) would be good. i wouldnt go with halides on a freshwater tank that isnt crazy tall though (if you had a 36" tall tank i would say try it)

T5 bulbs do need replacing though, every 8-12 months.

**PUNISHER VETTE** · 02-02-2009, 04:14 AM

Originally Posted by cocoa_pleco

T5's are a good option, the 4x54w (216w) would be good. i wouldnt go with halides on a freshwater tank that isnt crazy tall though (if you had a 36" tall tank i would say try it)

T5 bulbs do need replacing though, every 8-12 months.

O...well if they need to be replaced like my CP what do they offer that's would make to switch to them?

I'll most likely stay with what i have but I'm still just curious.

**cocoa_pleco** · 02-02-2009, 04:18 AM

T5's run cooler, are more energy efficient, give a better PAR, and with single reflectors for each bulb, they are extremely close to the specs of metal halides.

216w of T5 lighting is about approximately equivelent to about 300w+ of regular fluorescent lighting