ironworker
Active Member
i was thinking about switching to metal halide for my 40 breeder. anyone have a recommendation for a fixture i keep a mixed reef i thought of going with led but they are just expensive and lacking spectrum.
thinking about switching from t5 to metal halides
- Thread starter ironworker
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muteturkey
Community Member
I'd personally get some leds. They are expensive but use 30% the energy that halides use and replacing bulbs can run you $100+ a year on halides. Check out the kessil A350W. We have a couple of the A350s on a large tank and are getting excellent growth and colors from it. If you are good with wires and what not, a great DIY led can be made for a decent price and you can get a lot of spectrum out of the various bulb selection. Just food for thought.
Wesley42079
Valuable Member
You might want to try a 24" 150w Sunpod with doulble ended Phoenix 14k bulbs. You'll want to hang any MH fixture atleast 12" above the waterline or you'll toast your lps.
I believe there is also the Outwr Orbit fixtures that come with 1 or 2 MH bulbs with T5's.
I currently have a 40 Breeder and tried a sunpod just 5 inches above the water line. All i can say is the water temps spiked HIGH. I will never run MH on such a shallow aquarium again. This fixture was off my BC29 gallon.
If cost is an issue, you will be purchasing new MH Bulbs every 9-12 months.
I currently have the Kessil a350 on my 40 Breeder hanging about 12" above the waterline. The coverage is pretty decent. You can checkout my build thread to see pictures.
Also Marineandreef is selling a Kessil a350/a350w for $360 with free shipping. This price includes a $40 saving with the 10% coupon, no tax if you are located outside of Arizona and free shipping. This has got to be over $100 in total savings.
Coupon code : Augustus10
Or you can try Reefbreeders Led fixtures for $200-$300. Some fixtures are made of 3w Cree or Bridgelux LED's.
Search for the user ReefBreeder in Reef2Reef.
I believe there is also the Outwr Orbit fixtures that come with 1 or 2 MH bulbs with T5's.
I currently have a 40 Breeder and tried a sunpod just 5 inches above the water line. All i can say is the water temps spiked HIGH. I will never run MH on such a shallow aquarium again. This fixture was off my BC29 gallon.
If cost is an issue, you will be purchasing new MH Bulbs every 9-12 months.
I currently have the Kessil a350 on my 40 Breeder hanging about 12" above the waterline. The coverage is pretty decent. You can checkout my build thread to see pictures.
Also Marineandreef is selling a Kessil a350/a350w for $360 with free shipping. This price includes a $40 saving with the 10% coupon, no tax if you are located outside of Arizona and free shipping. This has got to be over $100 in total savings.
Coupon code : Augustus10
Or you can try Reefbreeders Led fixtures for $200-$300. Some fixtures are made of 3w Cree or Bridgelux LED's.
Search for the user ReefBreeder in Reef2Reef.
Pappy
Valuable Member
I had a sunpod and used powerbrites for accent. Great fixture! As far as LEDs lacking spectrum...DIY only way to go and not expensive. I paid a guy $650 to build me one for my 75 oceanic with a controller and a fuge light. Not expensive as you think. And spectrum wise these lights grow and make my corals look waayy better than my 20000 k hqi bulbs did
SPSjunky
Active Member
+1 on the leds.I just bought 3 of the value fixtures from reefbreeders for $200 a pop and i love them.They are SUPER bright and make my corals look insane.I was a bit sceptacel about leds but these fixtures are truely awsome.
GrampaDon
Active Member
Making coral look good is where most LEDs are stuck at. If I was looking to buy a LED it would likely be the Kessil 350s.
But I still prefer my MH.
For suggestions 1x150 MH with T5 or LED for accent. Do you have a price point in mind .?
But I still prefer my MH.
For suggestions 1x150 MH with T5 or LED for accent. Do you have a price point in mind .?
