Metal Halide lights

TrNull · Aug 16, 2022

How much are used metal halide fixtures going for these days

RedoubtReef · Aug 16, 2022

Depends on how much aquarium you are lighting. I see used stuff all the time at good prices. Geismann would be the top end as far as new stuff. Hamilton is pretty reasonable also. I got my used Hamilton fixture with 2 250W bulbs and 4 T-5s for $50 off the equipment forum here. Shipping it was a whole other story.

TrNull · Aug 16, 2022

I have 6 Lumen max elites all 250w with 3 Hamilton and 2 dual galaxy ballasts and tons of new bulbs I am looking to unload

Bpb · Aug 17, 2022

If you can find someone sick of hanging onto their old halide gear, they’ll practically give it away. If you order a brand new giesemann spectra from Germany expect to pay thousands depending on size

Reefing102 · Aug 17, 2022

A lot will depend if you’re willing to ship too. I know I’m in the market for halide gear but most people don’t ship due to the expense

TrNull · Aug 17, 2022

Bpb said:
If you can find someone sick of hanging onto their old halide gear, they’ll practically give it away. If you order a brand new giesemann spectra from Germany expect to pay thousands depending on size

I am trying to get rid of mine.

TrNull · Aug 17, 2022

Reefing102 said:
A lot will depend if you’re willing to ship too. I know I’m in the market for halide gear but most people don’t ship due to the expense

They are from 2008

Reefing102 · Aug 17, 2022

TrNull said:
They are from 2008

As long as they’re clean and not oxidized the reflector should still be good I would think. The bulbs should be fine as well. Only issue may be the ballasts (possibly?)

TrNull · Aug 17, 2022

Reefing102 said:
As long as they’re clean and not oxidized the reflector should still be good I would think. The bulbs should be fine as well. Only issue may be the ballasts (possibly?)

Everything works. A little bit of rust on one of the ballast. But everything else is good

mtraylor · Aug 18, 2022

I got no hits on my fixture so I just donated it. Ballast are cheap usually 50bucks and lower when people are dumping them.

minus9 · Aug 18, 2022

TrNull said:
Everything works. A little bit of rust on one of the ballast. But everything else is good

What bulbs do you have?

TrNull · Aug 18, 2022

minus9 said:
What bulbs do you have?

Let me check in the morning. I will get back to you

Bladezz · Aug 18, 2022

MH use a ton of electricity, run super hot and you have to replace the bulbs frequently not to mention the ballast burn out too. If u have these over a tank you almost have to have a chiller to keep the water temp in check. I still have nightmares from using them.

minus9 · Aug 19, 2022

Bladezz said:
MH use a ton of electricity, run super hot and you have to replace the bulbs frequently not to mention the ballast burn out too. If u have these over a tank you almost have to have a chiller to keep the water temp in check. I still have nightmares from using them.

This isn’t always the case and for those that run a bunch of radions over their tanks, I’m guessing they’re using the same, if not more electricity than halides.

Bladezz · Aug 19, 2022

minus9 said:
This isn’t always the case and for those that run a bunch of radions over their tanks, I’m guessing they’re using the same, if not more electricity than halides.

Good point.

The xr30 G5s use 410 watts at 100% output.

Google says a 250w MH uses 295 watts.

minus9 · Aug 19, 2022

Bladezz said:
Good point.

The xr30 G5s use 410 watts at 100% output.

Google says a 250w MH uses 295 watts.

It usually takes two LED fixtures to cover the same area as one metal halide fixture, but this depends on the fixtures for both. I'm also referring to an acropora dominant tank, mixed or softy tanks are different. You can also get away with running halides for 4 to 6hrs with supplemental lighting (T5's or LED bars, etc) and still use less energy as an all LED system. My Reef Brite pendants run pretty cool considering and using small fans, there is no need to use a chiller. I would guess that most LED fixtures have a true lifespan of 5 or 7 years depending on how many hours they run a day (diodes diminish with time/heat), so you'll need to replace them accordingly. I can easily get 12+ months out of a single bulb and depending on what bulbs you're using, that's around $100 for two bulbs every 14 months or so. So for two RB pendants and bulbs for 5 years, I'm only spending $1300 or so. How much does a single XR30 gen6 cost? $950ea for two fixtures and I would still need some LED bars. 2k or more? This whole idea of LED's being cheaper to run energy-wise, well, it's kind of a myth at this point. Don't get me wrong, I love LED's and use them, but people need to do some real math when considering all lighting systems.

rtparty · Aug 19, 2022

Bladezz said:
MH use a ton of electricity, run super hot and you have to replace the bulbs frequently not to mention the ballast burn out too. If u have these over a tank you almost have to have a chiller to keep the water temp in check. I still have nightmares from using them.

A watt is a watt and we have already learned PAR per watt barely favors LEDs at this point. LEDs can't compare in spread or specturm to a halide. I have never used a chiller on any of my halide tanks. Going on 17 years and so many tanks I don't even have count. Some will require a chiller though. Depends where you live. Replacing bulbs every 14-18 months is super easy. Ballasts last 5 years minimum IME.

Bladezz · Aug 19, 2022

minus9 said:
It usually takes two LED fixtures to cover the same area as one metal halide fixture, but this depends on the fixtures for both. I'm also referring to an acropora dominant tank, mixed or softy tanks are different. You can also get away with running halides for 4 to 6hrs with supplemental lighting (T5's or LED bars, etc) and still use less energy as an all LED system. My Reef Brite pendants run pretty cool considering and using small fans, there is no need to use a chiller. I would guess that most LED fixtures have a true lifespan of 5 or 7 years depending on how many hours they run a day (diodes diminish with time/heat), so you'll need to replace them accordingly. I can easily get 12+ months out of a single bulb and depending on what bulbs you're using, that's around $100 for two bulbs every 14 months or so. So for two RB pendants and bulbs for 5 years, I'm only spending $1300 or so. How much does a single XR30 gen6 cost? $950ea for two fixtures and I would still need some LED bars. 2k or more? This whole idea of LED's being cheaper to run energy-wise, well, it's kind of a myth at this point. Don't get me wrong, I love LED's and use them, but people need to do some real math when considering all lighting systems.

When I built my own LED lights they dramatically reduced my electric usage and the heat introduced into my system and my corals loved the light. That was like 10 years ago and now I don't have the time or the desire to build again so I'm paying a lot to get a neat package with features like apps and remote controls. Certainly NOT cheaper to run though.

minus9 · Aug 19, 2022

Bladezz said:
When I built my own LED lights they dramatically reduced my electric usage and the heat introduced into my system and my corals loved the light. That was like 10 years ago and now I don't have the time or the desire to build again so I'm paying a lot to get a neat package with features like apps and remote controls. Certainly NOT cheaper to run though.

Today we have so many options for lighting our tanks, that there’s no one way or right way to do it. We can mix and match new and old technologies and have an awesome looking tank and grow healthy animals. I think designing your own LEDs would be fun, but having the time to do so is another story. I honestly think it’s going to be a hobbyist who comes up with something new in the world of lighting and not a manufacturer.