Mh Lighting, How Much?

[VictorMeldrew]

Hi all

I am at the stage where i really want to get metal halide lighting for my tank, I am more than likely going to look for a second hand bargain, how much cash do you think i will need, for those of you who do not know, my tank is 72" 18" 18"

Thanks
VM

 

[Crazy fishes]

Hi all

I am at the stage where i really want to get metal halide lighting for my tank, I am more than likely going to look for a second hand bargain, how much cash do you think i will need, for those of you who do not know, my tank is 72" 18" 18"

Thanks
VM

In general you can use a 150-250W unit per 2 feet cubed so you are looking at 3 metal halide units. I would encourage you to stay with fluorescent tubes unless you are keeping Tridacna calms or SPS like Acropora. I have found they generally give better growth, are less expensive to run and have less issues with regard heat and evaporation. What is it you keep?

Regards

 

[BigC]

Look at 250 or 400w Luminarcs. You can buy these in sections ie (Reflector, Ballast, Bulb) you an collect as you go along and when funds become available.
ATB
C

 

[VictorMeldrew]

Hi guys

Here we go, i am lost already

I am only keeping soft coral and a bit of frogspawn at the moment but would like more hard coral very soon, I will avoid SPS for now. Reflector, Ballast and bulb?, so i can buy everything separate and then build them into a hood can I?

Has anyone got any pics of the kind of thing i should be looking for please.

Thanks
VM

 

[BigC]

Reflector, Ballast and bulb?, so i can buy everything separate and then build them into a hood can I?

That's the idea m8
http/www.marine-lighting.co.uk/
Just Google Luminarcs metal halides
Regards
C

 

[VictorMeldrew]

Thanks mate, that link will keep me busy for a while, i do not know why i struggle to get my head around this type of lighting so much, but i do, which is why i did not get them first off, but i will understand now, i have to

Thanks
VM

 

[Crazy fishes]

It depends on what hard coral you wish to keep. Unless it requires really intense lighting, T5s are best.....

Regards

 

[VictorMeldrew]

I looked into T5 lighting but i would cost just as much as the halide's (i think) for the size of my tank because they do not make them long enough, Am I correct in saying that i can keep almost anything under halides? If so thats what i want to get, I can't afford to upgrade again after this. My T8's worked really well when i first got them but know they seem to be alot dimmer and are only about 8 months old.

Thanks
VM

 

[Crazy fishes]

It depends on what you wish to keep? Halide bulbs last longer generally but they cost more to run, a lot more!! Under halides you can keep lots of stuff that won't work under T5's but you also lose some as well. For instance Euphyllia Spp don't really like halides they prefer to be under T5. Bigmutantman2000 bought some of my Frogspawn and Hammer which is thriving in his tank, he has 36 watt T8s and 3x aquarays with the T8s on for 5 hours/day. I have put mine under a 150W halide and it hasn't grown at all. The colours are stronger but there is a dirty brown tinge to the colourless parts.
Just to let you know that halides are not the panacea they are generally regarded as. They too have problems.
Regards

 

[ben1987]

halides cost exactly the same to run as their equivilant tube lighting. If you had 4 x 36W tubes that would similar amount of electric than one 150W halide and need the bulbs chaning more often and at a greater cost.

For softies on that tank victor i woudlnt be suprised if you got away with twin 250W halides. I used to light my 3 foot tank with one. Softies were fine at the edges and i kept the more light demanding corals in the middle, directly under the bulb. It might create dark patches i suppose.

 

[garybuk]

I would choose t5s over halides!! i also find my corals get more growth under t5s then halides anyway!! plus the heat and price of chageing the bulbs over..

You can find some cheap t5 units on ebay too


And I would also add my mate built his own halide unit doing it the d,i,y way it would come to more then buying a 2nd hand price unit!! you can pick up 5ft units for under £70 on ebay just keep your eyes out! but i would get a chiller if your going halides to help keep the temp down

 

[Crazy fishes]

The actual power drawn to the bulbs/tubes is not the same, halides are less efficient I think you will find. Although as usual I am open to correction if I am wrong. The bulb wattage might add up to the same but they always use more. You have to look no further than the heat component halides get considerably hotter than T5's, all power from the socket.

All I am saying is think about whether you really need a halide unit as T5 are sufficient for so much more than is frequently thought of.

Regards

 

[VictorMeldrew]

Thanks all, now I am really not sure what to do, I will have a think about it and no doubt be back with more questions.

 

[Crazy fishes]

Thanks all, now I am really not sure what to do....

Aren't you glad you asked .

Regards

 

[ben1987]

The actual power drawn to the bulbs/tubes is not the same, halides are less efficient I think you will find. Although as usual I am open to correction if I am wrong. The bulb wattage might add up to the same but they always use more. You have to look no further than the heat component halides get considerably hotter than T5's, all power from the socket.

All I am saying is think about whether you really need a halide unit as T5 are sufficient for so much more than is frequently thought of.

Regards

there is power lost, but if he was to buy a unit with an electronic ballast it isnt so much.