Halide Q & A

That's a topic of lots of debate. You'll get strong recommendations for a wide range of time tables ranging from every 6 months to every 18 months. It seems to vary widely. There are hobbyist par measurements on radiums that range all the way from fantastic to pitiful, and some they show massive par loss over time while others show nearly no par loss at all. Every 9-12 months is a safe bet of a good replacement schedule


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I have an orbitz MH w/ 4 T5s. I need to upgrade my 250 watt MH bulbs. Currently they are are 10K lights. I am debating between 14K and 20K lights. Currently my T5 are 2 actinic and 2 10K.

I want coral and fish color + coral growth... currently when my MH are on you almost need sunglasses it is so bright. The shimmer is amazing.. If I go with the 14K or the 20K will I lose the shimmer? I do want more color in my fish to show... and I need my coral to grow and I don't want to lose the shimmer.

I have a 4 ft 75 gallon reef with yellow tang / mandarin / zoes / xenia / mushrooms / kenya tree / would like to add more coral.

Thanks!
Neptune
 
Well...your fish colors won't improve under bluer lights. Fish colors are reflective pigments. They don't fluoresce under blue lighting. Your fish will never look better than they do under 10k halides. And that...is a personal opinion.

But...your corals will likely look more vibrant for the most part under 14k-20k lighting. You will not lose shimmer because shimmer isn't a product of spectrum, it's a product of point source + surface agitation. While solid blue light may not appear to shimmer quite as much, it's just because it is darker in nature to our own perception. 14k shimmer won't be any less pronounced than 6500k though to be honest. It's still plenty white enough.

All things considered equal, growth rates may vary depending on what region things thrive most at. Your ultra shallow water sps corals may not grow as fast under 20k as they would under 10k, but some deeper water corals may be happier without so much red and UV light hitting them


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150W double-ended MH for a 18in tall tank?

150W double-ended MH for a 18in tall tank?

Guys,

What do you think about a 150W double-ended for a 18in tall tank? Initial plan was 250W but I was told that it is too much.

Tank is 24"L x 19"W x 18"H, for one or two clams, sps most likely dominated.

The setup will be supplemented by 4 x T5. MH will be 14,000k any suggestions for T5s?

Thx
 
I just got a current usa 4' light for my 120 standard aqueon tank, it has 2-150w de halides with 4-t5 ho, tank is 26" high so was wondering if the halides by themselves will give enough par for sps or I should throw in some blue plus t5's into the mix instead of actinics? Plan was to use phoenix 14k's with 2 blue plus and 2 coral plus, or 4 actinics, any suggestions?
 
It might be enough but you'll have to keep the SPS and clams in the high portion of your rockscape. If I were you I'll bet on 250w MH - double or single ended.

BTW, regardless the wattage using double ended bulbs don't ever forget to keep the glass shield on the reflector, things get really hot on DE bulbs.
 
Hi!

Going back to metal halides with my new build. The tank is 8 foot, 30 inch wide, 31 inch tall, but it was originally built as a peninsula tank, so the effective tank area is 7 1/2 feet long.

Years ago, I had a 6 foot long 215 and used 3 X 400 watt with "spider-style" reflectors, supplemented with VHO's. Loved the results even though those were not the best reflectors.

This time, I am using large, 20 inch, Lumenbright reflectors which should perform much better. I can mount them high for better spread. I also want to try 250 watt bulbs to help manage the heat.

Do you think I can get by with three 250 watt MH fixtures on such a long tank? It will be primarily SPS. I will supplement with either T5s or maybe Reefbrite LEDs.

Thanks!!!
 
Overboard said:
Hi!


Do you think I can get by with three 250 watt MH fixtures on such a long tank? It will be primarily SPS. I will supplement with either T5s or maybe Reefbrite LEDs.

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...

I have an 8 footer that is 36" deep (450G). My winter lighting is MH/T5. It's made up of 2 Hamilton Cebu Sun 48" fixtures that have 2 400W MH and 4 54W T5 lamps each. So in total 4 400W MH and 8 54W T5. I have lots of SPS and have found the 400W are actually more than needed. This winter I'm considering dropping back to 4 250W MH instead which I'm sure will be enough. I use the LuxCore Electronic Ballasts with the HQI setting allowing for the 250W Radiums to be pushed closer to their recommended spec.
 
Hey Rippster!

Thanks for the input. That is very helpful, especially with you having a 36 inch deep tank. I have the same ballasts and it is nice to have the options between 250 and 400 watt. I was thinking of using Radiums on the HQI setting as well, but I might need to add a 4th fixture due to the length of the tank.

With that 36 inch depth, are you keeping SPS near the bottom? Of course, with 400 watts, I would think that would clearly possible.

Ever check your lighting with a PAR meter? I still need to pick one up.

Thanks!
Mark
 
Overboard said:
Hey Rippster!

Thanks for the input. That is very helpful, especially with you having a 36 inch deep tank. I have the same ballasts and it is nice to have the options between 250 and 400 watt. I was thinking of using Radiums on the HQI setting as well, but I might need to add a 4th fixture due to the length of the tank.

With that 36 inch depth, are you keeping SPS near the bottom? Of course, with 400 watts, I would think that would clearly possible.

Ever check your lighting with a PAR meter? I still need to pick one up.

Thanks!
Mark
Click to expand...

Hello,

Most of my SPS are mid to upper, but some seem to do well lower, especially Stylo. For instance, my Rainbow Stylo pretty much lost all it's color when placing it mid to upper. Most that do well are about midway in the tank.

I use my Seneye from time to time as more of a judge to see if my lamps are still performing acceptably. I would like try one of the new Apogee that are tuned for LED but simply don't want to fork out the ducketts.

I would agree that 3 250W would be optimum and allow for the most complete coverage vs. 4.
 
Hello!
First of all, sorry for my English. But I will try to write without translater, it's more interesting ))
I have tank with dimensions 55"х27,6"х23,6"(h).
I've bought two CoralVue lumen Bright SE pendants and want to combine it with 4 T5 bulbs, but don't know how better to do.
I assume the height of MH source is some about 16-20" above water surface and T5 bulbs are 6" above.
Initially I wanted to make construction with two longlines, but in this case I can't adjust height of MH source without T5 (it's height is constant).
What can I do? Thanks.
 
You will be fine with them all at the same height. No need to run the T5s 6" above the tank. Set the lights at 18" and you will be fine.
 
Hi,
I have a 4ft - 18" - 18" I have purchased a dual 150w metal halide unit. Is it going to be powerful enough to punch to the bottom it also has 6 T5's in it.
Cheers
 
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