Metal Halides

[miked78231]

What is everyones opinons on MH lights?

[hobogato]

i like em.

[don-n-sa]

they sure are bright

[ratboy]

I previously ran VHO's only over my 90 reef but am running 400w 14k MH over my 380 reef. I do like the shimmer lines and they are bright as heck but I have to say I like the coral colorations better under flourescent lighting. I am going to add more T5's over my tank so I can hopefully get back some of the coloring I liked so much . I still havent experimented much with different brands or color temp of bulbs so that is probably part of the problem but if you arent planning on full on SPS tank or have a 36" deep tank like I do then I would go with t5's or VHO lighting.

[mkengr45]

I love them. Just look at the majority of peoples tanks that are succesfully growing lots of corals (especially SPS) and clams and you will notice that pretty much all of them use metal halides. Look at most of the "Tank of the Month" tanks and see what lighting. Look at greenmako, TexasTodd, Jim Norris, Tim Marvin, etc..... heck, Jim Norris's tank is on the XM bulb box.

I love metal halides............................

Randy

[gcantu]

Very nice shimmer effect and bright. If you don't already have them, plenty of fans and a chiller as well for the summer time.

[TroyPham]

i use t5's and Mh lights over my 150.

[miked78231]

well i will be running a 250w 20k MH on my 55g and im just wondering how this will turn out and if anyone else is running the same thing. i really only plan on having softies and maybe a few lps.

[gcantu]

That should be more than enough for them. I currently have a 58g with (1) 250w MH 14k and (2) 36" VHO's. I currently have what you are attempting to house and all have thrived. I must warn about heat issues if you don't already have a chiller and plenty of fans. My heat issues began once the spring season came around and just recently purchased a 1/10hp chiller. I can try to post pics here tonight when I get home from work.

[dwdenny]

I have no idea but I have a 175w SE that I am putting on my 40g breeder tank that I got from Jerry Oh thanks again Jerry.

[miked78231]

well i have a canopy with two fans on each end so hopefuly that will be enough to cool them, plus i leave the ac on 65 all the time. if you dont mind me asking what are VHO's?

[blueboy]

Very High Output flourecents

[miked78231]

so would this be somthing i should think about getting later down the road?

[TroyPham]

i had a oceanic 58(55 show tank) that i ran 2-250mh and 4-55 pc lights on... i keep everything in that tank(lps,sps,clams,softies) just in different area's.. never had a heat issue. on my 30g clam tank i had 1-250mh with 2-75vho's no heat issuw with it either..


on the 156rr i'm running 2-250 mh, 1-400 mh, and 4-54 t5's.

[miked78231]

what do you guys think about the XM 250w 20k over the XM 250w 10k?

[mkengr45]

I am runnning a 250w MH on a 30 cube, and 2x250w mh on a 92 corner tank. I use fans, and have never had any heat issues. Both tanks have SPS, LPS, clams, and softies(shrooms, rics, & zoos). Fans work just fine.