T5 or metal hallide??

[shrimppaste]

Hi Everyone,

I have a question. I am going to start a 5ft X 2ft X 2ft tank soon.

Question is:

Should I use 2X MH (Hanging) at 150 W each for total of 300W

Or 8 X T5 (60) for total of 480W?

Cause if I am using MH I will only end up with 2 W/G
and if I use T5 it would be 3.2 W/G

But I was told that MH would be better. please advise. Thanks!!

[blue33]

Is the intensity that matter not the WPG. 2X150W MH is good, if it comes with T5 at the side would be better. For the depth you have, MH would be more prefer. MH can be quite warm, you need a good chiller to cool them down fast.

[shrimppaste]

Thanks Blue. What would be a good chiller? I was thinking of getting a Hailea. Would it be good enough?

[blue33]

Of course Arctica is good but expensive. Hailea HC series is good, to make them even better, you need external thermostat controller to perfect them and more efficient, they can be as good as the branded ones. Problem with Hailea is the thermostat like many chiller even the branded one facing due to the small reservoir it has.

Below is the external thermostat controller that i built for my chiller recently. Is a plug and play controller, dont need to modify the chiller, just plug the chiller power source in.



This controller set can even control the MH temperature, i've try that on my lighting and it works perfectly. Marine people use this to control their MH usage on the setup.

[shrimppaste]

Ah! Learning new things everyday. Where can I get an external thermostat? Thanks!!

[blue33]

Arhhhh... this is a DIY external thermostat controller. If you want a ready made one you can buy from Bioplast, the price will be more than twice. The "FOX external thermostat controller" can be buy from Sim Lim Tower B1, company called Acez, get the $55 one, $65 comes with alarm which we dont need it at all.

[shrimppaste]

So if we plug the chiller into there, it would mean the chiller would be shut off and on. Will that be bad for the chiller? And is this easy to do?

[Shadow]

If you want to DIY, please make sure you get the right model. FOX temp controller come with different model, make sure the ON/OFF relay can support current rating of your chiller.

[blue33]

Is a plug and play thing. As for the relay thing most chiller no issue.

[Shadow]

It may or may not but very simple just tell the shop owner you want to use it for XXX Watts device, he/she will get you the right model. Better save than sorry .

[blue33]

Yup, the FOX 2001 controller only support till 2amps, more than that you need a relay support.

[blue33]

I just had a talked with a friend, his marine friend although use FOX controller on higher amp Chiller like 1/2hp but they did not add any relay support, they still using the original FOX controller that comes with it and they doing fine.

[shrimppaste]

Hi Blue, Thanks for the advice. But I just found my chiller It's a 1/2 hp Hailea with external filter at Bioplast. It's only 1 year old.