• Light in the aquarium - MH or T5?

  • Melinda2740

Hello everyone! I would like to ask for advice on what lighting would be optimal for a marine aquarium (soft corals + fish, possibly hard corals later). The aquarium is 300 liters with a water column of 55 cm. Currently, I am using a 250W metal halide light + 2x24W T5 actinics. It’s concerning that the metal halide heats the water and the air in the room. Is it possible to use only T5 lamps (6x39W)? Please do not suggest other fixtures, as I cannot afford them.

Bonnie

Maybe.

Richard

Maybe, but heating is also good.

James4757

T5 six pieces, plus three ballasts, will also heat the air in the room no less than your MH 250W.

James1625

6x54 W T5 was heating up the space in my very large room quite a bit - at least it was standing right under the air conditioner, which was blowing directly on the chandelier.

Holly

I want to ask a question here to avoid creating new threads. Is 6*39 watts enough for 100*50*50? (softness + some LPS)

Nicholas5194

It's enough for softness; I've had it like this for a year and a half, and everything was fine.

Julie3950

Hmm... I'm puzzled whether 250 liters with 4x24W will be enough. I was also thinking of making a LED bar... Aqua 80 cm... The startup process is underway.

Allison

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