No love for MH?

[wrassie86]

I've run metal halide for years. Currently trying led now and fighting dinos shortly after firing them up.. But.. while I see people comparing cost of the power usage between the lights. I'm not seeing much on the cost of heaters being constantly on with led.. I run a 300 watt heater on a 180g and its getting a work out. With metal halide its only on at night a few times.. still waiting for my full month eletricty bill but with how much my heater is on and my own calculations I think for me its a wash cost wise. I only ran 3x250 for 6hrs with led strips.

 

[biecacka]

How high would you comfortably hang 250watt bulbs off the water line of a 24in tall tank?

corey

 

[Bpb]

How high would you comfortably hang 250watt bulbs off the water line of a 24in tall tank?

corey

Depends entirely on par goals for specific livestock and what reflector is being used

 

[biecacka]

Guess I’m just looking for a baseline of some extent. Sps tank. I have the Lumenarc fixtures now that measure 22x22 and used them previously. However, I moved and set my tank to hang Orpheks over it at about 18inches above the tank. Was wondering if I could hang halides that high and still grow things. Mostly, because I am somewhat leery of Orpheks as I’ve had NOTHING but issues with them in the past.

 

[X-37B]

How high would you comfortably hang 250watt bulbs off the water line of a 24in tall tank?

corey

I run my 250 watt fixtures 12" off the surface. That puts the bulb at 14" off the surface.
I grow corals on the bottom of my standard 4x2x2 120.
18" should be fine, imo.
I run one OR3 blue plus light bar at the same level for dawn dusk viewing.

 

[biecacka]

Thanks!

corey

 

[Turd Ferguson]

I hang a 250w Hamilton fixture about 8” off the surface IM40G

 

[X-37B]

I run my 250 watt fixtures 12" off the surface. That puts the bulb at 14" off the surface.
I grow corals on the bottom of my standard 4x2x2 120.
18" should be fine, imo.
I run one OR3 blue plus light bar at the same level for dawn dusk viewing.

Your welcome!
Check my build thread for info and pics.

Sven

 

[Mike konesky]

Any of you halide guys tried the 315w cmh yet? I just ordered a fixture and 10k bulb for $230 new. Looking for any info on these. Gonna test it next to a 400 radium.

 

[X-37B]

Any of you halide guys tried the 315w cmh yet? I just ordered a fixture and 10k bulb for $230 new. Looking for any info on these. Gonna test it next to a 400 radium.

I have been looking at them too.
However they hav a low K rating of 3100K and way to much blue for me.

I am going to test an Ushio in a hamilton 20x20 reflector over my frag tank.
I have wanted to do this for a year or so now.
I now have the reflector, bulb, and ballast.
I have 8 or so ballasts to pick from as I used them in my hydro days.
The bulb is a 7K 600watt.
I am currently running a 150 watt de 14K phoenix and should be running 2 over my frag system. I will need to raise it up an inch or two though, lol.
My frag system is 36x24x12.
My frag system is very stable and has been running for 15 months now.
Here is a current pic.
I run 8hrs now and will run the Ushio at 4-5 to start.
The ballasts are adjust a watt so I may start at 50%.
I will be picking up a couple of OR3 light bars for it too.

Here is the spectral output for it.
Lets see how people react to this one, lol.

 

[Reef Builders]

Hey that's my tank! Haven't seen that clip in a nice long while, but dang do I miss the serious growth I used to get on this aquarium

 

[Reef Builders]

Hey that's my tank? Haven't seen that clip in a long while, dang I miss the stony coral growth I got in this tank

 

[A. grandis]

Hey that's my tank? Haven't seen that clip in a long while, dang I miss the stony coral growth I got in this tank

LOL!! That tank in the video is one of the most amazing small tanks there is on Youtube to date! If one day we have a halide club we will use the picture of that tank and the music will be our anthem!!! LOL! Halides reigns king!
Can you tell us more about that tank?
Good to see you here, Jake!

 

[Scubatricky]

I'd go back to MH instantly if it wasn't for heat, weight/size and energy efficiency.

Ran 2 X 250w halides for years and they were great, but had to keep the windows open in the house to keep the heat down.

 

[A. grandis]

I'd go back to MH instantly if it wasn't for heat, weight/size and energy efficiency.

Ran 2 X 250w halides for years and they were great, but had to keep the windows open in the house to keep the heat down.

I use a fan between the fixture and water surface and chiller just to make sure the tank will be ok during the summer. I think the great results from halides are more important. This life is way too short!!!!

 

[Bpb]

I use a fan between the fixture and water surface and chiller just to make sure the tank will be ok during the summer. I think the great results from halides are more important. This life is way too short!!!!

Do you run your chiller right there in your living room or under the tank stand or is it plumbed to run outside?

 

[A. grandis]

Do you run your chiller right there in your living room or under the tank stand or is it plumbed to run outside?

My chiller is in the house, inside of a custom made furniture by the tank. The back of the furniture completely is open and the front has a door with openings to make sure the chiller will "breath". It runs through the day, but it doesn't run all the time, of course. My house is very hot summer time!!! The tank is in the coolest part of the house though. I hardly notice the chiller running. Next time I move, I will try to place the chiller and sump out of the house. Much easier to do water changes and sump maintenance.

Here is an old picture showing the fan and the Spectra in action, T5s only.

 

[Scubatricky]

I use a fan between the fixture and water surface and chiller just to make sure the tank will be ok during the summer. I think the great results from halides are more important. This life is way too short!!!!

The results I get now from LEDs outweighs the hassle of the extra kit. MH isn't practicable or cost effective when I have to add fans and chillers. My tank stays at the temperature I set it at with no additional need for equipment beyond a heater. Add MH into the equation and now I have to buy extra kit.

 

[A. grandis]

The results I get now from LEDs outweighs the hassle of the extra kit. MH isn't practicable or cost effective when I have to add fans and chillers. My tank stays at the temperature I set it at with no additional need for equipment beyond a heater. Add MH into the equation and now I have to buy extra kit.

Don't feel bad! To you, your money and to avoid any additional "hassles" are more important than any possibility of better results using metal halides. If you are happy with the results you have with LEDs, there is no need for any change. Keep your LEDs. That is fine!

 

[Scubatricky]

Don't feel bad! To you, your money and to avoid any additional "hassles" are more important than any possibility of better results using metal halides. If you are happy with the results you have with LEDs, there is no need for any change. Keep your LEDs. That is fine!

How much 'better' results is always a questionable factor. 25 years ago when MH was the only option, I used them over T8 bulbs as they were an improvement for growing difficult corals. At the same time, I had to deal with wild temperature swings and mounting problems for the weight, alongside power consumption. When LEDs came along they provided a solution to the heat and weight problem, but sacrificing a little of the advantages of the light output from MH.

Everything we do in our tanks is a compromise. We dose or run reactors as a compromise against having unlimited quantities of free saltwater like the ocean. We compromise on livestock and bioload, as we don't have unlimited capacity.

If a MH equivalent was to be launched that did away with the heat / size / weight issue, would I swap up from LEDs? Probably, but not immediately.