MH options

KJoFan · Mar 3, 2019

For you MH experts. Given the choice would you rock Reefbrite pendants w/dimmable ballasts or a Giesemann Spectra? Max output needed would be 2x 250w bulbs.

Is one superior over the other? Is the T5 supplementation of the Spectra enough to edge it over the Reefbrites?

KJoFan · Mar 3, 2019

Or...stick with the current LED fixtures and forget MH?

jda · Mar 3, 2019

I would not dim any kind of MH. They are made to do this, the output can shift and the spectrum change.

The bulb and ballast combos are more paramount than either of those fixtures, IMO. Do you like T5s more, or less, than XHOs?

A. grandis · Mar 3, 2019

Giesemann Spectra.
No dimming!

KJoFan · Mar 4, 2019

I only brought the Reefbrite up because I already have that setup, but I've never used the dimming feature and probably wouldn't. But, mostly wondered if Spectra was really superior to the Reefbrite pendents. But, I've been running the GHL Mitras LX7's for awhile now and can't really complain so should probably just stick with those and leave the Reefbrites in storage.

jda · Mar 4, 2019

A reflector is just polished metal. The spectra is not superior the reefbrite in this way, nor vice versa. Bulbs and ballasts matter more.

Form factor is the only real difference in the RB and the Giesemann for the MH part. Use either with confidence.

topjimmy · Mar 4, 2019

I really like my Hamilton fixture

Acroporaaddict · Mar 4, 2019

Just slap a Reefbrite XHO on the Spectra and you're good to go

A. grandis · Mar 5, 2019

KJoFan said:
I only brought the Reefbrite up because I already have that setup, but I've never used the dimming feature and probably wouldn't. But, mostly wondered if Spectra was really superior to the Reefbrite pendents. But, I've been running the GHL Mitras LX7's for awhile now and can't really complain so should probably just stick with those and leave the Reefbrites in storage.

ReefBrite (Tulio) recommends to use the system all together. That said we should use the pendants, ballasts and bulbs from Reefbrite in order to keep it's principles of low temperature and compatibility.
The Gieseamann Spectra can be used with any ballast you want. You will have the flexibility to work with the T5s in case you wish.
The original price of th
If you are happy with your LEDs you should keep them and forget halides. No sense to change what is working for you in your point of view.

alton · Mar 5, 2019

I am not sure where dimming lamps got its bad name? I picked up two 175w dimming ballast by solar system years ago and used them on one of my tanks. They would start at 10% and increase for two hours to 100%, and then then after a timer went off it would take 2 hours to dim off. The trick was to use Pulse start lamps, not probe start. At the time I used Reeflux 12K and they lasted 18 months before dropping off 10%. In the past dimming T5's, T8's and metal halide were used in offices and warehouses before Leds replaced them. I still remember walking into the Philips plant in San Marcos Texas watching workers assemble LED light fixtures under metal halide fixtures for light.

Jay Norris · Mar 5, 2019

KJoFan said:
I only brought the Reefbrite up because I already have that setup, but I've never used the dimming feature and probably wouldn't. But, mostly wondered if Spectra was really superior to the Reefbrite pendents. But, I've been running the GHL Mitras LX7's for awhile now and can't really complain so should probably just stick with those and leave the Reefbrites in storage.

Good move, leave the lighting alone, as the Mitra's are more then adequate enough to grow and color up any coral you can add to your system. On the Mitra's set the lights to a spectrum you and your corals like, and leave them alone, nothing worse for you corals then always changing the spectrum and intensity.

KJoFan · Mar 5, 2019

Jay Norris said:
Good move, leave the lighting alone, as the Mitra's are more then adequate enough to grow and color up any coral you can add to your system. On the Mitra's set the lights to a spectrum you and your corals like, and leave them alone, nothing worse for you corals then always changing the spectrum and intensity.

This really is what have been doing and probably will keep doing. It's hard not to get tempted to go on that journey seeking the "best" coloration of your corals. But, I really can't complain about the Mitras fixtures at all. I've had them up for months and only just recently made a tweak on the spectrum to get it a little more to my liking at peak hours, otherwise I have left them alone and they've been solid for me.