Lighting

[smokin'reefer]

Just my .02 here. I'm not a pro but one thing that hasn't been mentioned is the electric bill. LEDS are the most cost effective. If you get cheaper T5 or MH the savings might be negated over time thru your meter. I have LEDS and my bill close to doubled since I started down the reefer road. Spending a little more now might save you that much or more down the road. Again, just my .02 as I didn't see it mentioned. Good luck.

 

[Nano101]

the hydra 52 (x3) would be great, but quite pricey

 

[bklynmanny]

Can someone help me out I have a ? About my lighting I have a Fluval Marine and reef 32w it's kind of nice but I really don't know if it's ok for my corals ?

 

[reeferfoxx]

I'm not good at lighting so I'm going to need help from the pros at this

I apologize for not providing adequate information. I noticed you mention tank "stands" or mounts for the tank? Was this a deciding factor? Were there other cosmetic options you were looking for?

 

[Bdog4u2]

Search Craigslist and local reef clubs for good deals. I had the Mars aqua and they did the job keeping stuff alive I probably get 4x the growth from my hydras than I did from the boxes. I would stay away from high light corals and save up for a good one. Good lights are the most expensive part of this hobby and the most subjective.
If you go metal halide they are cheaper from hydroponics stores for equipment but get bulbs from fish stores

 

[reeferfoxx]

I had the Mars aqua and they did the job keeping stuff alive I probably get 4x the growth from my hydras than I did from the boxes. I would stay away from high light corals and save up for a good one.

I don't agree with this. Mars Aqua LEDs reach ridiculous amounts of par. You would be more likely to bleach your coral than not. Water parameters and tank age account for coral growth, as well.

 

[Robert59]

I just,so con fused

 

[reeferfoxx]

I just,so con fused

Ok?

 

[Robert59]

Going to check craigslist I don't want some thing that could increase my electric bill but want something that will take of my corals and fish?

 

[Nano101]

T5s and MHs tank lots of current=higher power bill.I had an older current 8 T5 bulb light over my 75. Even that got pricey

 

[ksc]

Remember, you have a 180. Led's are great for nano tanks but lose their advantage quickly as tank size increases. You'd need 2-3 of those black boxes to match the output of a properly setup 400 watt halide. Also, those black boxes lose their output and spectrum almost as quickly as a MH bulb. Plan on replacing those led boxes every 2 years or so.

 

[Nano101]

Remember, you have a 180. Led's are great for nano tanks but lose their advantage quickly as tank size increases. You'd need 2-3 of those black boxes to match the output of a properly setup 400 watt halide. Also, those black boxes lose their output and spectrum almost as quickly as a MH bulb. Plan on replacing those led boxes every 2 years or so.

LEDs replaced every two years???

 

[ksc]

Yes, those black boxes are good for a couple years or so.

 

[Nano101]

what do you mean by black boxes? I've had a PAR38 LED going strong for 8 years, and other people (primarily with AI units) that have their LEDs for 5+ years without a single LED burning out. Cree makes good LEDs

 

[Bdog4u2]

I don't agree with this. Mars Aqua LEDs reach ridiculous amounts of par. You would be more likely to bleach your coral than not. Water parameters and tank age account for coral growth, as well.

It was in a 15 year old tank I went from metal halide to the Mars aqua to the hydra hd. Everything grew fast with my old halides then slowed down with the boxes then exploded with the hydras. My water chemistry never changed and I had 4 boxes over a 6ft 150 for over a year and stuff grew just not nearly as fast or colorful. I will say it grows the crap out of chaeto in my sump on the white channel tho

 

[reeferfoxx]

It was in a 15 year old tank I went from metal halide to the Mars aqua to the hydra hd. Everything grew fast with my old halides then slowed down with the boxes then exploded with the hydras. My water chemistry never changed and I had 4 boxes over a 6ft 150 for over a year and stuff grew just not nearly as fast or colorful. I will say it grows the crap out of chaeto in my sump on the white channel tho

You think maybe the switch from halides to LED might have had some effect? What you're describing seems legit considering.

 

[reeferfoxx]

Remember, you have a 180. Led's are great for nano tanks but lose their advantage quickly as tank size increases. You'd need 2-3 of those black boxes to match the output of a properly setup 400 watt halide. Also, those black boxes lose their output and spectrum almost as quickly as a MH bulb. Plan on replacing those led boxes every 2 years or so.

MH bulbs last two years? I have a chinese black box hitting two years of age in december. I still run intensity at 30%. Why does my black box last longer?

 

[ksc]

Your black box isn't in the same league with a properly set up mh. It probably in the same league as a 2 year old MH spectrum wise. But they will both keep corals alive

 

[reeferfoxx]

Your black box isn't in the same league with a properly set up mh. It probably in the same league as a 2 year old MH spectrum wise. But they will both keep corals alive

LOL! Ok...

 

[Bdog4u2]

You think maybe the switch from halides to LED might have had some effect? What you're describing seems legit considering.

Maybe at first but doesn't explain why growth took off when I switched led brands. Soft corals grew ok with all options but sps slowed down a lot. My pink Floyd acro was basically in suspended animation at 3inches and since the switch I've been able to frag it several times. I think they are fine for softies but sps can slow down and lose color, with that said my 10 year old has a box over his 5 gallon with sps but I put small colonies in it and not frags