Metal Halide Question

sandybottom73 · Mar 3, 2019

Hi all

I have a lighting question I am sure all you helpful ladies and gents can help me with... I currently run Hydra 52 (non HD) over my frag tanks and want to add MH into the mix. Can anyone advise if they use this set up, how long you run the MH for in relation to LEDs and whether you adjust any of the LED settings to compensate for the extra output from MH? Hope that makes sense... Thanks in advance.... Happy Sunday to you all

jda · Mar 3, 2019

Most people who use MH let them do the heavy lifting (or most of it) and fill in dusk/dawn with their LEDs, or to change the color a bit. Everybody does this differently, but most seem to have a 5-10 hour MH photoperiod and then turn the LEDs on after this or whenever they are home to view. The MH does not need any help from the LEDs to make the corals happy, so no sense in wasting the electricity when the MH are running.

Just one example, but I use MH over my display and frag tanks. I do not use any LEDs, but I also do not use any T5s or other supplemental lights either. To me, they are a waste of my time. I go in 100% - best of both worlds is a failing strategy in life and in reef lighting for me. Rather than spend the money or wattage on a LED or T5s, I will just add another Halide.

DesertReefT4r · Mar 3, 2019

Well you could add a 10k or 14k 150w MH and only run it at your peak light time for a few hours, 2-4. This will help boost growths and add in some of the spectrum the LEDs might be lacking. Having the AI 52 will help with color and pop of your corals. Adding a pair of T5 bulbs is another common option as well. I personally use MH souly to light my reef and grow my corals and only recently added a low power blue LED bar just for dawn/dusk effect and that pop at night.

sandybottom73 · Mar 3, 2019

Thanks both... This is really helpful, I hadn't thought of using MH until I saw that Joshporksandwich uses/used one as part of his set up. His youtube vid was informative on how he keeps his zoas.. It just didn't say how long he runs his MH for. My mixed DT is solely LEDs and I am happy with that, just think I am missing something with the frag tank. Zoas are not as big as I would like, I get great growth but they need to chunk out.....