T5 Metal Halide Shiimmer

[rickynichols]

Hello,

I am currently running a 4 bulb T5 fixture. Back to Front

ATI Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

I want to add 2 - 150w metal halides (14k or 20k) for the shimmer effect. My current fixture is 7" front to back and the metal halide fixture is 13" front to back, both would sit on top of the tank with legs. I would put the halide fixture towards the back. The halide fixture I am looking at also has 2 built in T5's for actinic bulbs.

I am getting plenty of light from my T5's so my question is. Will the T5's drown out the shimmer or will I get the light from the T5 and the shimmer from the halides?

Thanks in advance.

Tank depth 24"

Livestock - Softies and Hardy LPS but am looking at getting a clam eventually. Lawnmower blenny, yellow tang, royal gramma, 2 clowns, cleaner shrimp, ton of snails.

 

[Tracey2]

I was running 4 80w T5's and 4" 54w T5's, I found a 175W mh with vho setup cheap so decided to try it. The vho's are great really pop the green but the mh's washed out my oranges and reds, it is probably this particular bulb, it does give the shimmer but thats about it, lousy colour. So I am also looking at how to mix my t5's with the halides and maybe the vho's, I could fit 2T5's 2vho and halides, so would also like an answer to your question, will this work?

Which mh bulbs were you going to try?

 

[rickynichols]

I was thinking of 2 - 150w hqi 14k bulbs

 

[nanojg]

I would do a strip of Cree XMLs

 

[rickynichols]

I am not looking for LED's. I was mainly asking if the info I gave would have a shimmer effect or not.

Thanks

 

[James77]

Yes it would. Are you dead set against LEDs? They would give the same effect, maybe even more pronounced, that the halides would have. The LEDs would also use hundreds less watts, cost less long term, and add much less heat.

 

[rickynichols]

I have heard the LED's dont have the PAR depth for clams and SPS. I also like the look of MH 14k lights. Do you have any pics of LED's running over T5's?

Thanks

 

[nanojg]

I would be much more concerned with 150 watt halides penetrating 24" than leds with optics.

 

[rickynichols]

What kind of led lights are you speaking of for the shimmer? # of bulbs, color, etc.

What is the difference between led and led with optics?

I will have a 24" deep tank with a 6" sandbed so it will only be about 18" to the sand. You may talk me into it. I am looking to supplement my lighting not spend a whole lot more.

Thanks

 

[DoubleM 10]

answer is yes. as long as something is disturbing the surface you will get shimmer. if nothing is ddisturbing the surface you will not get shimmer

 

[Perrier01]

Here you go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a9r56lQjB8&feature=related

I have heard the LED's dont have the PAR depth for clams and SPS. I also like the look of MH 14k lights. Do you have any pics of LED's running over T5's?

Thanks

 

[rickynichols]

That is great, thanks for the video!

 

[rickynichols]

Hello,

Thanks for posting the video. What is the difference in the two videos. The first one looks red and the second looks blue. I like the look of the second video. What light configuration are you running?

Thanks in advance.