I Miss Metal Halides

[BrooksReef]

Hi everyone,

I am currently constructing a 135g tank, that will be SPS dominated with chalices. Back in the old days, I got the best growth ever (as did many others) from Metal Halides. Sure, they produce a lot of heat which can be problematic, but do the benefits of LEDs really outweigh those of Metal Halides?

My plan is to add 2 x 400w LumaTek ballast-powered with 2 Lumen Bright reflectors (LARGE OR MINI? Tank is 20.5"). I will be using 12k Reeflux bulbs, most likely.

I have posted this on another forum as well, and yes LEDs are cheaper in the long run since you don't have to pay for bulbs, etc. But is the growth/color really comparable?

Thanks!

 

[ReachTheSky]

Why do you "miss" metal halides? They haven't gone anywhere.

Long-term savings aside, LED's do provide other benefits. You probably wont need a chiller which is one less thing to take up room or potentially break down on you. Their output is also a lot more consistent - the corals wont be annoyed with redshifts in spectrum every 6-12 months or jarred by a sudden increase in light output from new bulbs.

As far as the growth and color being comparable, I wouldn't be able to tell you. There are plenty of success stories from both sides of the pond.

 

[MikeD35]

I am also interested in the topic. Would like to hear how the two compare.

 

[sirreal63]

I don't miss my MH, I look at them every day. I am so glad I decided to not go with LED. There has been a lot of people who went LED deciding to go back to their previous lighting, and I can understand that completely.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2203067

If you pay attention to how you set up your tank, you will never need a chiller and bulbs do not need to be changed every 6-12 months unless you are over driving them, the amount of spectral shift is not as severe as some people want you to believe. You may get very good growth from the LED's, depending on which ones you go with, but you may also discover as many others have that the corals do not exhibit the same coloration as they do under MH or T5.

The electrical savings touted is not always a reality. Many people have discovered that they have to heat the tanks more which negates any drop in electrical usage from the lights. We are fortunate in the Austin area to have very good electrical rates so there is no savings to be had there. If you like MH or T5 then use it and don't worry about whether it is the right choice, it simply works.

Is this a standard 6' long 150? The LB's are spotlights and you will have a hard time lighting it evenly with those reflectors.

 

[roczero]

This is a hotly debated subject. Over the years I have had several tanks with LEDs, several with T5s, and several with halides. If I had to choose, I prefer halides. Best for growth from what ive seen. T5s would be my second choice.

 

[BrooksReef]

I don't miss my MH, I look at them every day. I am so glad I decided to not go with LED. There has been a lot of people who went LED deciding to go back to their previous lighting, and I can understand that completely.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2203067

If you pay attention to how you set up your tank, you will never need a chiller and bulbs do not need to be changed every 6-12 months unless you are over driving them, the amount of spectral shift is not as severe as some people want you to believe. You may get very good growth from the LED's, depending on which ones you go with, but you may also discover as many others have that the corals do not exhibit the same coloration as they do under MH or T5.

The electrical savings touted is not always a reality. Many people have discovered that they have to heat the tanks more which negates any drop in electrical usage from the lights. We are fortunate in the Austin area to have very good electrical rates so there is no savings to be had there. If you like MH or T5 then use it and don't worry about whether it is the right choice, it simply works.

Is this a standard 6' long 150? The LB's are spotlights and you will have a hard time lighting it evenly with those reflectors.

Great advice, thank you! I very much appreciate it.

The tank is a 60" 135g tank. Do you have another fixture in mind that you would recommend? I would really love to hear what you recommend!

 

[sirreal63]

What are the actual dimensions?

 

[Dino]

I don't mind the popularity of LEDs, it means cheaper MH bulb prices. Bulbs that I paid upwards of $80 4-5 years ago are now selling around $50.

 

[BrooksReef]

What are the actual dimensions?

60x21"x24"

 

[sirreal63]

The LB mini wides may not be a bad choice but you will be just fine with 250's, the 400's are a bit much on a shallow tank that's 24" tall. I am on my phone now but will look up some better options for you later.

 

[moondoggy4]

I got my Giesemann Infinity light on the cheap due to the fact the guy was switching to LEDs.

 

[BrooksReef]

The LB mini wides may not be a bad choice but you will be just fine with 250's, the 400's are a bit much on a shallow tank that's 24" tall. I am on my phone now but will look up some better options for you later.

Just 250w? Darn! I was hoping to blast 'em >

 

[BrooksReef]

Fortunately, a local reefer has 2 Lumatek ballasts that are 4 months old I can purchase for $50/each! Yay. They're adjustable to 250w/400w.

 

[sirreal63]

Nice score...I need to pay more attention to ARC other than my build thread.
If you want to shop reflectors, go to...
http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/category/Pendant-Systems-177

You will get better spread with these than the LB's, which isn't important with the 21" depth but is with the 60" length. It will take three of the LB's to adequately cover that tank because they are spotlights, someone to consider.

 

[BrooksReef]

Nice score...I need to pay more attention to ARC other than my build thread.
If you want to shop reflectors, go to...
http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/category/Pendant-Systems-177

You will get better spread with these than the LB's, which isn't important with the 21" depth but is with the 60" length. It will take three of the LB's to adequately cover that tank because they are spotlights, someone to consider.

LOL

Which of those would you recommend? The Cabo Mini? They all make you get a ballast with them.. you can't buy just the pendant? This one is by HT... http://www.aquacave.com/Hamilton-Te...-Single-Ended-Metal-Halide-Pendant-P3044.aspx

 

[sirreal63]

For your tank, the Cayman Sun or the Cabo Sun thought you can go with the larger ones but will spill some light with the narrow depth.

 

[BrooksReef]

I think I am going to go with the Cayman Sun Mogul Base... two of those. Think that'll do the trick? Are those pendants able to go up to 400w if I ever upgraded? They say only 175w-250w, but I didn't think the socket and reflector determined the wattage use.

 

[James77]

I think I am going to go with the Cayman Sun Mogul Base... two of those. Think that'll do the trick? Are those pendants able to go up to 400w if I ever upgraded? They say only 175w-250w, but I didn't think the socket and reflector determined the wattage use.

The socket will not matter, as they are the same between 175, 250 and 400. But you may not be able to adjust the bulb so that a 400w is centered on them.

 

[BrooksReef]

The socket will not matter, as they are the same between 175, 250 and 400. But you may not be able to adjust the bulb so that a 400w is centered on them.

Got'cha!

So 2 x 250w MH should be enough... even to get to the bottom for LPS (chalices, etc)?

 

[sirreal63]

They list the pendant alone but the website doesn't let you add it to the cart, but there is nothing wrong with using AquaCave, they are a good place. You may not be able to fit a 400 in the smaller pendant.