150 Watt Viper Metal Halide Over BioCube 29

[Skippy2512]

Hey guys, I was thinking about removing my hood from the coralife biocube and mounting a 150 Watt Viper Metal Halide with a 20K MH bulb. Has anyone done this set up before? If you have, I would like to see some photos of the build if available. Thanks for your input!

-B

 

[ReefWreak]

I did it, and it was the worst experience of my reefing life.

It was on my old 24g nanocube. It was already having some nutrient issues, and I think the bulb came with it was YELLOW, so it only fueled the algae more, and the tank was kept in my parent's house that they always kept too hot so the tank was too hot for corals, and the tank was only good for growing algae.

If you can handle the heat, and are on top of nutrients, and make sure to get the right bulb in it, then you may have more success. I failed miserably.

 

[homer1475]

That is one ugly tank with all that HOB equipment. Looks like it would be a great display fuge though.

 

[ReefWreak]

Yeah, that's effectively what it turned into. The problem was that the tank it was the refugium for was... itself...

 

[MayoBoy]

I had one on my 27 with a 14K Phoenix bulb. Worked great and never even had to turn the fan on. But, I got a great deal on a Kessil so it's sitting downstairs in a box now. If it weren't for the deal, I'd still have it on there.

 

[Pnewt]

I just ordered a 150w 15k for my 34 Solana. It will be here Friday I'll let you know how it goes. Like stated before as long as you get the right bulb and can control the temp it's not bad. The only reason I'm not going with LEDs is because I can get bulb for the MH housing for $40 and a good LED fixture is $400.

 

[Skippy2512]

Thanks for the replies! Can't wait to see how it turns out. I was thinking of going with a 20k bulb.

 

[JAustin]

Go with a 20K radium, 20K reeflux, or 20K Ushio. With your leds, PAR will be right on.