metal halide alone
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4718
Printed Date: July 15 2025 at 6:41pm
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Topic: metal halide alone
Posted By: j's55
Subject: metal halide alone
Date Posted: December 20 2004 at 2:26pm
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I have a 55 gal tank and it is a corner bow. Could it
run on a 250 w metal halide with out any PCs. I have the PCs but I don't have enough room for both. Another idea would be to make a hood for the tank and take apart the PCs and install them in the hood. I have a PC setup from custom sealife so it is all ready mounted in a manufactered hood. ------------- Josh Zorn 45G reef lots of tropical plants Cell it 910 3924 |
Replies:
Posted By: Kull
Date Posted: December 20 2004 at 2:35pm
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I have metal hallides alone over my tank.
The issue that you are going to find that yo have is getting a good color blance. I am using an AB 10000 (13 K) bulb that I bought local. It works great. I recently took my PC off of the tank due to some problems and I added a second Metal hallide this time I went with a 20 K hamilton also bought at an LFS. A lot of poeple like the 20k look of tanks, beofre you make up your mind get out and see a few tanks. Is MH lighting ok by itselfs, yes it is. And no it isn't. It all depends ont he application. Are you growing or planning to grow SPS corals? Or are you planning to row softies? If you don't know then you should research a little mroe the lighting needs fo what you are oging to keep. You can never have to much light ... More light does however constitute more heat so be sure yo have a way to get the extra heat off out of the hood. you are welcome to stop my place anytime and see my critters and how I have the lights set up. ASk aroudn and you are sure to find a plethora* of ideas and ways to set up your lights. Good luck.
* big word - not sure what it means, but the context is correct! ------------- "So this is what gives meaning to your life." -Unknown Daniel in Santaquin |
Posted By: coreyk
Date Posted: December 20 2004 at 2:54pm
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josh .. I run 3 20K 250s over my 120g w/ no supplemental
lighting ... your welcome to stop by and take a look anytime. |
Posted By: Simple
Date Posted: December 20 2004 at 3:39pm
Hello everyone,
It works for me and could work for you too. As Kull suggested, lighting decisions are best made by the tanks inhabitants. Have you decided what you're going to keep? Hope that helps, Chris ------------- Ascult� tot, dar nu crede tot. Believe nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see. |
Could it run on a 250 w metal halide with out any PCs.Posted By: reptoreef
Date Posted: December 20 2004 at 3:54pm
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I can personally vouch for Coreyk's tank(s)... way sweeeeet!!!!! ------------- www.captivereefing.com |
Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: December 20 2004 at 4:09pm
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i run 14k bulbs on all 3 tanks! i do have a 40 watt actinic on my main tank but thats because my wife likes the green colors in the morning. i would definitely go with the 14k! ! use Marine Aquatics 14k's ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: jbruse
Date Posted: December 20 2004 at 4:25pm
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I currently am running 20k XM's over my tank no problems without suppliment lighting. When it is time to switch out these lights I will be going with the Marine Aquatics bulbs though I think they are 14k. ------------- -=J=- |
Posted By: reptoreef
Date Posted: December 20 2004 at 6:29pm
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I'm adding a AB DE 20k 250 watt... they have some pretty rave reviews... we shall see. ------------- www.captivereefing.com |
Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: December 20 2004 at 7:35pm
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I run two AB DE 20k 150 watt pendants on my tank and I'm very happy with the color, although it seems the growth is slower than other members corals. ------------- 335G Reef TOTM. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012 http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month & |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: December 20 2004 at 7:50pm
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I have just metal halides. Two over my 30 gal, but I don't like it all. I'm only doing it because like you, space is an issue. Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: December 20 2004 at 8:00pm
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I thought you were happy with the halides Adam. Why arent you? ------------- 335G Reef TOTM. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012 http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month & |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: December 20 2004 at 8:15pm
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I love my halides. I think they are awesome. But I really wish I could add some pc or vho to go with them. I just don't like the one bulb for all spectrum idea. I think I could be doing a lot better with different bulbs for different colors. Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Adam Haycock
Date Posted: December 20 2004 at 8:38pm
Hmmm...have you seen the way they light some reef tanks in Japan? http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=91458&highlight=Japenese - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&thre adid=91458&highlight=Japenese http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=488127&highlight=japanese - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&thre adid=488127&highlight=japanese ------------- 
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Posted By: reptoreef
Date Posted: December 20 2004 at 8:54pm
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the electric bill has got to be a fortune!!! ------------- www.captivereefing.com |
Posted By: jfinch
Date Posted: December 20 2004 at 9:55pm
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MH alone or with PC/VHO is really just a personal preference. Your corals will grow and be happy either way, imo. Visit some tanks and decide which "look" you like better. If you truly do not have room for both then go the MH alone route. But on the other hand, you already have PCs so they're kind of a freebe... I know I could find room for 'em in the canopy ------------- Jon https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6y_EzjI_ljbIwf2n5uNzTw" rel="nofollow - What I've been doing... |
.Posted By: dkle
Date Posted: December 20 2004 at 11:13pm
LOL. Thanks for the entertainment. I always enjoy a good laugh. ------------- If you can't bedazzle them with your brilliance, baffle them with your bs! Dinhkim Le - Procrastinator extra-ordinare |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: December 21 2004 at 6:16am
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Hmmm...have you seen the way they light some reef tanks in Japan? Now that is what I'm talking about. I like that. Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: j's55
Date Posted: December 21 2004 at 11:35am
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I already figuered out what corals I want that is why I
got the MH. could the mh sit over the over flow with plastic gaurd or will it melt it. I will post a pic tonight of how it looks. I would take the over flow gaurd of but then there would be algae in the over flow and it would splash. I would clean it out but I am leaving and someone else is taking care of my tanks for a while. ------------- Josh Zorn 45G reef lots of tropical plants Cell it 910 3924 |
Posted By: scubadave
Date Posted: December 21 2004 at 3:49pm
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If you had more room you could be like me and Have two of everything and still not know what is best! 2- 72" VHO 10K's 2- 72" VHO Atinics 2- 400W 20K MH's 2- 400W 10k MH's And one h_ll of a power bill ------------- My Tank 220 Reef 4-400 watt metal halides 2- 72� V.H.O. 2- 1200 GPH Pumps My Pride & Joy Tremonton,Utah |
Posted By: Weimers
Date Posted: December 21 2004 at 4:45pm
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Plethora = lots, oodles, a multitude, various, plenty ------------- Renee and Damon Weimer Tankless in Hawaii |
Posted By: jfinch
Date Posted: December 21 2004 at 9:13pm
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... an overflowing cornucopia ------------- Jon https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6y_EzjI_ljbIwf2n5uNzTw" rel="nofollow - What I've been doing... |