MH to Noopsyche lights transition question

[kris2001]

Can 3 x radion g2 xr30 lights replace my 250W X 2 MH LIGHTS system over my DT that's 60x24x24 inches?

What about 3 x Noopsyche lights?....

Currently the MH blankets the tank with light... even shaded areas get reflected light.

Wondering should i buy 2 radium bulbs ($80 ea)now to replace bulbs yearly, or buy Noopsyche x 3 lights that's mostly lasting say 3 years plus i save in electricity bills too....

Can someone advice Tia

 

[A. grandis]

Stay with the halides if you're happy with your current success.

 

[Johniejumbo]

I would be happy to know the answer myself I run 2 150w mh on my 40b.

 

[A sea K]

1 st, your noopsyche startup cost is the same as 3 years worth of replacement bulbs and if you expect a 3 year lifespan out of the noops then the whole deal is a wash. Your only savings will be realized in electrical cost. Advantage- Noop
2 nd, for a 60x24 tank I would go with 4 x noops not 3 so its looking like 4 years worth of bulbs exceeding the led life expectancy. Advantage- MH

My personal feelings are MH lighting is awesome, just not for my particular situation so I run LED and it works for me. Also,I just installed Noopsyche lighting over my 48x24 display and so far I really like these. I've only got them up to 35% blue and I think 20% white and slowly ramping them up. 3 weeks in and so far so good.

 

[Bpb]

Unpopular opinion, I wouldn’t replacing working lights with used leds. You don’t know what kind of lifespan the drivers have left. Especially the extreme old gen radions. Those have been run hard for years and years. Leds are great but I would really only buy them new. Too big of an investment to risk them going belly up. Obviously if you found a great deal on some gen4 or 5 radions that is different. But gen2/3??? Pass.

I’d also second the above comment, you’ll want 2 noops per halide fixture to come close to replicating the spread and scatter of large halide pendants.

Your electrical savings will vary heavily on where you live. Some can report significant savings, others its a wash. For me personally, once the billing cycle caught up, my electricity is $100 cheaper every month, which to me is quite significant. I’ve heard plenty of people in colder climates where they use aquarium heaters report zero electrical savings. There is absolutely not a universal answer there and anyone who swears otherwise is just being biased

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

I use LEDs, but if I was running MH and was happy with my tank, there's no way on Earth I'd change a thing.

 

[X-37B]

Any current pics?
If its not broken dont fix it.
Maybe add led's but keep th MH's.
I would consider 3 gen 4 used radions but not gen 2's except for a suplemental light source. Why change unless you just want led's?
One of the beauty's of MH that people forget is you get new lights every year! Thats alot cheaper than new leds, imo.

 

[kris2001]

What's max lifespan of most good led? Like radion, kessil, Noopsyche, reefi?
I'll post a pic of DT soon....

 

[A. grandis]

Lifespan of LEDs will have a wide range. Many would have them for years, while some have reported they went trash very shortly. Brands won't be any good reference either as for many people have been very upset with some of the most expensive and famous brands in he market.
Bottom line is that there is no LEDs that can substitute metal halides because they won't provide the exact same qualities halides have, namely UV and IR emission, well blended constant spectrum and their particular and amazing shimmer. As we are tired to know... LEDs can grow corals "just fine", but if you want them to be like under halides then just relax and let the corals enjoy the lights they are so used to.
It's just so hard to understand why people talk about saving money with electricity and bulbs when they have to buy truly expensive fixtures and take the risk of changing the light completely and having to adapt the whole system to the LEDs. Once you used metal halides and know better it will be a waste of time to step in the mud. It takes too long to clean muddy boots. Try look very closely to corals under any LED and you will find your comfort using halides. Unless you really like the results or the look of those LEDs.

 

[X-37B]

Lifespan of LEDs will have a wide range. Many would have them for years, while some have reported they went trash very shortly. Brands won't be any good reference either as for many people have been very upset with some of the most expensive and famous brands in he market.
Bottom line is that there is no LEDs that can substitute metal halides because they won't provide the exact same qualities halides have, namely UV and IR emission, well blended constant spectrum and their particular and amazing shimmer. As we are tired to know... LEDs can grow corals "just fine", but if you want them to be like under halides then just relax and let the corals enjoy the lights they are so used to.
It's just so hard to understand why people talk about saving money with electricity and bulbs when they have to buy truly expensive fixtures and take the risk of changing the light completely and having to adapt the whole system to the LEDs. Once you used metal halides and know better it will be a waste of time to step in the mud. It takes too long to clean muddy boots. Try look very closely to corals under any LED and you will find your comfort using halides. Unless you really like the results or the look of those LEDs.

Well said!
Most of the new reefers have only known led's and have never seen MH's in person.
Many of them are amazed at the quality of light when they see my tank in person, lol.
And when I tell them the cost they cant believe they are 1/2 the cost of most quality led's.
Also, the heat they have been told is just not an issue when they actually see my MH system in person.