Are MH lights going extinct?

[ca1ore]

"
This is a good comparison. Tube amps were replaced 60 years ago with transistor radios. For most, they are "good enough" to be great, but still in the highest end of amps, the tube offers the best quality and has a small but healthy market. You can spend upwards of 100k on a pair of amps for a HI-FI system. Is it worth it?! For people who can hear a difference and can afford it, YES!!!.

Indeed, hi end audio makes reefkeeping look like a bargain basement hobby. I know .....

 

[Sea MunnKey]

Indeed, hi end audio makes reefkeeping look like a bargain basement hobby. I know .....

A little off topic and what do you guys own (hi end audio)? Use to frequent our local hi end audio stores way, way back ... I love the Linn products

 

[ca1ore]

Sadly the local high fi shops mostly disappeared much like the LFS are disappearing today. I have an absurd setup, Genesis 201 and Bohlender-Graebner speakers, VTL tube amps, Krell solid state, and a Meridian front end. The analogy to MH is interesting to me because many of the manufacturers of my high fi gear are out of business. Finding a good amplifier tech is critical. Even so, were certain key components to go fzzzt I'd be borked.

 

[Syntax1235]

I've been wanting to try Mh's for almost 20 years. I finally broke down and bought Reef Brite hardware this morning after being unsatisfied with the coverage of my Pacific sun unit, my frags are now colonies and are suffering due to shadowing. I refuse to spend 4k on led's when they will be obsolete in three years. My Reef Brites will be brand new every year when I change the bulbs.

 

[Breadman03]

Sadly the local high fi shops mostly disappeared much like the LFS are disappearing today. I have an absurd setup, Genesis 201 and Bohlender-Graebner speakers, VTL tube amps, Krell solid state, and a Meridian front end. The analogy to MH is interesting to me because many of the manufacturers of my high fi gear are out of business. Finding a good amplifier tech is critical. Even so, were certain key components to go fzzzt I'd be borked.

That might have been worth the drive to help with the tank swap.

 

[120reefkeeper]

2 x 250w De Hqi Phoenix 14k , 4 x 54 watt T-5 Ati 2 blue +, 2 Coral Plus.

 

[DSC reef]

2 x 250w De Hqi Phoenix 14k , 4 x 54 watt T-5 Ati 2 blue +, 2 Coral Plus.

Looks amazing!

 

[120reefkeeper]

Looks amazing!

Sorry ..... old school... just sayin .


Lol

 

[DSC reef]

Sorry ..... old school... just sayin .


Lol

No school like the old school!

 

[jason]

A lot of wholesalers still use Metal Halides on their SPS tanks if that means anything.

 

[ca1ore]

When I used MH, and I did so for over two decades, I always preferred the double ended 250 watt format over all others. I remember when it was new school .....

 

[Adamc13o3]

That's exactly right. At some point there won't be enough reefers using MH to justify continuing to make the equipment. The choices certainly seem more limited today than even a few years ago. I'd liken it to tube amplifiers. I run a pair and I have had them modified twice to accept different vacuum tubes because the orginals were not made anymore. It's quite remarkable, actually, that anybody still makes vaccum tubes; mainly because, apparently, they are still in high demand in Russia. Is there a big Russian reefing contingent LOL

I run 2 X SE 400W 20K radiums with 6 x T5. The radiums aren't manufactured for aquarium use. We just use them FYI. So i'm hoping they'll be around.

 

[Black Pearl]

3- 400W 20k radiums 4 T5s, bulb change due next month, going with 2 Ushio 14K and a 20k raidium in the middle; trying to get more growth, love the MH

 

[greg1786]

While we still seem to have a decent bit of interest still in this thread, can we take it in a slightly new direction? It would be really cool to see some of your fav coral pictures and FTS under your MH set up! Ill share some of my old stuff under my MH before the crash to get it started.....

 

[leepink23]

I have considered either switching to mh/T5 or supplementing my radions with the the new t5 hybrid/diffusers. I have no room for a chiller so that makes me nervous. I actually think halides and t5 are gaining traction, I haven’t been in the hobby long enough to compare but appreciate the old school guys opinions!

 

[DSC reef]

Here's a few. 2x 150watt hamilton 20k DE and 4xT5 ATI blue plus.

 

[jkapit]

I am enjoying this thread. below is a pic of my Open Brain. I run 454nm VHO with 20K Hamilton MH, I have a 6ft long tank and just can’t justify moving to a high end LED setup. I have a Basement sump and heat is just not a problem so the MH lights work great for me.

 

[DSC reef]

I am enjoying this thread. below is a pic of my Open Brain. I run 454nm VHO with 20K Hamilton MH, I have a 6ft long tank and just can’t justify moving to a high end LED setup. I have a Basement sump and heat is just not a problem so the MH lights work great for me.

That's a beautiful trachyphillia, the colors are great.

 

[Black Pearl]

@DSC reef , what color is your tank with just the ATI blue plus running

 

[DSC reef]

It's a nice bright blue, I used to run 2 blue plus and 2 actinic but it was really dark. Here's a pic with just the T5.