Halides Becoming Obsolete?

[MiniDevil]

Hello everyone, I am a new hobbyist and am having quite a dilemma. I need new lighting for my 75 gallon. I've been researching and pricing out different lights for a couple weeks now, and right now I am a bit confused. Just about every forum thread that I've come across praises halides being the best way to light the aquarium.

I've been looking into different HQI/PC fixtures and found a Coralife Aqualight Pro. They seem to have been entirely discontinued, and when I called up two of the LFS, I was told that people are typically just using T5s or LEDs, and that Halides are being phased out gradually. Is this true? Are halides still a viable option? I have a guy who will sell me a 48" Aqualight Pro with 2x 250w HQI for 350.00. Is that a good deal, or should I pass since it appears to be discontinued?'

Thanks in advance for everyone's insight!

 

[ritter6788]

MH are still being widely used today and are still considered the best option for sps lighting by many people. Some prefer LEDs, some prefer MH or T5 or a combination of all 3.

 

[ohio reefer]

I prefer T5, but a 24 inch unit with enough bulbs to support my coral, clams,and anemones is very pricey. I own an Apollo led 5000 and ran it for about 3 months. I was not impressed with the growth and taking pictures with led is very hard. I am back to running a 400 watt halide and I love it. I love the look the lights gives, and the coral color and growth is great. I would love a halide and T5 set up.

 

[Reefing Madness]

I agree with Ritter, alot of SPS people that had LEDs have since returned to Metal Halides.

 

[EllisJuan]

If you can deal with the heat, bulb cost, and possibly energy cost, I think Halides + T5s are still the best option for a reef tank. I really like my LEDs...the sunrise/sunset effect is very cool and I am getting excellent growth thus far. However nothing filled my tank with light like my 2x150w + 2x39w T5 setup.

 

[Reef Pets]

I dont think the are becoming obsolete at all. As many have stated, a lot of people have went back to them. I talked to a major light light supplier a couple days ago. We were on the topic and I asked him the same question that's being asked here and he stated that he sells as many metal halides as he did years ago.

 

[alan.reef]

im planning to go back MH, but not sure do I need to replace my ballast. any advise much appreciate.
my ballast is 250w lumatek undimmable old style usage about 18month.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I think it's personal preference at this point. Adam at Battlecorals uses LEDs and recommends them. He uses radions (I think) over his display. His SPS has great color and health.

MH has obviously been the industry standard for a while, but LEDs are definitely proving to do the job as well.

So to answer the original question, MH are far from obsolete.

 

[jayhawk]

I made the switch from MH to LED's and I would switch back if I could. I love the look of MH. Looks like the sun and my corals loved it. My Vertex LED fixture has great features and looks good. I just don't get the growth I had with MH.

 

[mohamad ali]

I made the switch from MH to LED's and I would switch back if I could. I love the look of MH. Looks like the sun and my corals loved it. My Vertex LED fixture has great features and looks good. I just don't get the growth I had with MH.

I have the same light as urs and thinking to chamge it to a new light like haydra 5w

 

[that Reef Guy]

There will always be people using MH in my Opinion.

I think that mostly it is people with SPS dominate Tanks though.

People with mixed Reefs, or Softies, or LPS, or new to the Hobby will usually use LED or T5.

I think they are being phased out but somebody will be making fixtures.

My LFS does not even carry any MH anymore because so many people want LED and if they cannot afford LED they just buy T5.

Some companies are not making T5 Fixtures anymore so those are being phased out as well but once again somebody will continue to produce T5 Fixtures and Bulbs.

 

[Velodog2]

I keep thinking audio analogies. For most of the world right now an iPod is just fine. It is cheap, convenient, easy to use, lasts a long time, and definitely gets the job done. However there will always be those who appreciate the finer points of the quality of sound that a pure analog turntable and tube amp can offer. The MH is the light equivalent of an audiophile system. I'm good with LEDs myself cuz I hated the electric bill and the relatively quick degradation of light from a MH bulb, plus the expense of replacing them. I miss the look of a MH as it struck and came up to full power tho. Just like a little sun. One could probably argue that with the much higher energy consumption of a MH it was environmentally irresponsible to run them, but I wouldn't. Not on this forum anyhow ;-).

 

[galabar]

I don't want to cross-post, but thoughts here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/eq.../156771-death-metal-halide-2.html#post1846099

In 10 years, it will probably be about as hard to find a new metal halide fixture as it is to find a film camera today. There are certainly some advantages to metal halides. However, if they exist at all, they will only be used by a very few -- probably about the percentage that take the time to have a record player and vinyl today. There will be a niche market (if at all).

 

[that Reef Guy]

I don't want to cross-post, but thoughts here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/eq.../156771-death-metal-halide-2.html#post1846099

In 10 years, it will probably be about as hard to find a new metal halide fixture as it is to find a film camera today. There are certainly some advantages to metal halides. However, if they exist at all, they will only be used by a very few -- probably about the percentage that take the time to have a record player and vinyl today. There will be a niche market (if at all).

LOL. Actually many Camera people who are Purists still swear by Film and refuse to do Digital just like people swear by Metal Halide.

 

[that Reef Guy]

I don't want to cross-post, but thoughts here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/eq.../156771-death-metal-halide-2.html#post1846099

In 10 years, it will probably be about as hard to find a new metal halide fixture as it is to find a film camera today. There are certainly some advantages to metal halides. However, if they exist at all, they will only be used by a very few -- probably about the percentage that take the time to have a record player and vinyl today. There will be a niche market (if at all).

They may be Hard to find in stores but you will still be able to get them online I promise.

 

[galabar]

They may be Hard to find in stores but you will still be able to get them online I promise.

It's funny. To take it a step further, digital camera sales are on the decline because folks are now happy to just use their cell phones. So, who knows what we'll be using in 10 years. Maybe we'll have a 1" x 1" 3 watt 12 volt light emitting plasma fixture that can light a 36" x 36" SPS reef and it will cost $9.99 + tax but with free shipping.

 

[that Reef Guy]

It's funny. To take it a step further, digital camera sales are on the decline because folks are now happy to just use their cell phones. So, who knows what we'll be using in 10 years. Maybe we'll have a 1" x 1" 3 watt 12 volt light emitting plasma fixture that can light a 36" x 36" SPS reef and it will cost $9.99 + tax but with free shipping.

Doubt that. It is just not possible.

And people do not use Camera Phones because they are Better (They are terrible) but more because they already have them so they do not have to spend extra money and they are always on them ready to use.

You do not see Paparazzi using Camera Phones or the Wedding Photographers using Camera Phones.