Hamilton MH/T5 combo vs Kessil A360x /AP700

[qstorm]

So I have the Hamilton Sun MH/T5 combo, (1 year old). My corals definitely opens up to it in the morning and I can say I see growth in a few corals at this 1 year mark the tank has been up.
I have two reef brit led strips that are on top of the tank cause I haven't figure out how to hang it.

When all lights are on my tank looks great. When the MH goes off and the T5/led are on the corals are not fully opened.
The heat from the MH are keeping my AC unit on cause the thermostat is right there and my water temp will go up to 81+, so my lighting schedule sucks. I can only run MH for 6 hrs before the Apex shut it down if it reaches 82 dg.

Only a few SPS corals seem to thrive and LPS as well as softies, but some gets bleached cause I can't control it and since my hanging kit is a DIY, its really hard to adjust

Need help
1: can I perfect what I have to see growth as well as reduce heat.
2. gutting the MH from the system and putting (3) a360x (I can get two for 800 and work on the 3rd later) with T5
3. Same concept as option 2 but with (1) ap 700 in the middle (tank is 6'x24x30)
4. Suggestion of a controllable LED/T5 hybrid

Thought about two ap700, but I want the t5 combo. ( budget, I can get one for now if needed)

Thanks,

 

[Crabs McJones]

Are you running the Hamilton Cebu Sun? The one with the glass cover and built in fans? How far off the water do you have it mounted? What is the halide and what t5s are you running?

 

[qstorm]

Are you running the Hamilton Cebu Sun? The one with the glass cover and built in fans? How far off the water do you have it mounted? What is the halide and what t5s are you running?

I honestly don't know the model, but its the one you described, it has 4 t5 bulbs, 3 HL. 2 fans with the glass. I have it 12 inches off the water

 

[Crabs McJones]

I honestly don't know the model, but its the one you described, it has 4 t5 bulbs, 3 HL. 2 fans with the glass. I have it 12 inches off the water

What wattage and color temp are the three halides?

 

[kenbut]

Running three kessil over my 6ft.Awesome light and corals doing great.Throughly recommend.

 

[qstorm]

What wattage and color temp are the three halides?

I am glad you asked that question. So I went into storage and found the extra bulbs that came with the systems and the box says Radium HRI-T 400w blue. The ones that are currently in the system I am not sure if they are 400 watt, but they are definitely not blue, they look like the sun.
I got this brand new with tank, previous owner never got to set them up. I honestly never read the boxes until now , cause all the boxes where the same and I thought they were just extras....I am going to install those tomorrow to see what they look like.

 

[Eddie7144]

Running three kessil over my 6ft.Awesome light and corals doing great.Throughly recommend.

Hey, I'm Curious which kessil are you running and how many ? How deep is your tank ?do you use t5 also ? I'm asking cuz I recently got the a360x myself.

 

[qstorm]

Are you running the Hamilton Cebu Sun? The one with the glass cover and built in fans? How far off the water do you have it mounted? What is the halide and what t5s are you running?

correction...I have it 9 inches off the water.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I am glad you asked that question. So I went into storage and found the extra bulbs that came with the systems and the box says Radium HRI-T 400w blue. The ones that are currently in the system I am not sure if they are 400 watt, but they are definitely not blue, they look like the sun.
I got this brand new with tank, previous owner never got to set them up. I honestly never read the boxes until now , cause all the boxes where the same and I thought they were just extras....I am going to install those tomorrow to see what they look like.

When the lights turn off tonight take a look at the bulb, it should be market with what wattage and color temp they are

 

[qstorm]

When the lights turn off tonight take a look at the bulb, it should be market with what wattage and color temp they are

ok will let you know tomorrow...thank you

 

[qstorm]

When the lights turn off tonight take a look at the bulb, it should be market with what wattage and color temp they are

They are Hamilton technology 400watt 20k. Changed them out to the radium hri-400w blues. Looks lot better...corals didn't react better IMO. Not sure if cause I was doing WC/maintenance. Will see today

 

[Crabs McJones]

They are Hamilton technology 400watt 20k. Changed them out to the radium hri-400w blues. Looks lot better...corals didn't react better IMO. Not sure if cause I was doing WC/maintenance. Will see today

Any idea on how old the bulbs were? Could have been old bulbs not putting out enough par anymore

 

[biecacka]

That halide set up will grow anything you want it to!


Corey

 

[qstorm]

Any idea on how old the bulbs were? Could have been old bulbs not putting out enough par anymore

No idea. Got the system last year ...I don't think he had it for that long ..everything was brand new unopened