Am I crazy for thinking MH + t5 ?

Broadfield · Oct 12, 2017

Kmsutows said:
Why did you prefer the spectra over the aurora if you don't mind me asking? I love the look of your tank but feel like t5 may not be necessary during the day and id personally like the blue less for night.

What's different about the Infiniti fixture?

It's just a matter of liking MH better than LEDs. On top of that, I do not like the visual spectrum of the Aurora LEDs as much as a Radion, Kessil, Hydra etc.

I loved my Giesemann 21k bulbs, but they were about 8 months old and I wanted to try some 20k Radiums. So I am now running the 250 watt Radiums and they are spectacular!

Kmsutows · Oct 12, 2017

Broadfield said:
It's just a matter of liking MH better than LEDs. On top of that, I do not like the visual spectrum of the Aurora LEDs as much as a Radion, Kessil, Hydra etc.

I loved my Giesemann 21k bulbs, but they were about 8 months old and I wanted to try some 20k Radiums. So I am now running the 250 watt Radiums and they are spectacular!

Why 250 and not 400w? When you said aurora I figured you meant the MH hybrid aurora which is MH/led. Spectra is just MH/t5? Too many variations!

Anirban · Oct 12, 2017

Broadfield said:
It's just a matter of liking MH better than LEDs. On top of that, I do not like the visual spectrum of the Aurora LEDs as much as a Radion, Kessil, Hydra etc.

I loved my Giesemann 21k bulbs, but they were about 8 months old and I wanted to try some 20k Radiums. So I am now running the 250 watt Radiums and they are spectacular!

I forgot....which ballasts are you using? Is your spectra a 250 watt or 400 watt model?

A. grandis · Oct 12, 2017

BoomCorals said:
Hmm so you think a better route to go is just two fixtures rather than halide T5? Any particular reason? I was all set to pickup the Cebu but now I'm debating the two cozumel sun with radiums again lol.

Coverage. I would think the Cozumel opens the coverage wider distributing the light much better.
I'm not sure about the Cebu. It's too simple.
But the Cebu is BILLION TIMES BETTER THAN LEDs.
Sorry, I got too excited. ;Wideyed

Let us know how you like it!
Grandis.

BoomCorals · Oct 12, 2017

A. grandis said:
Coverage. I would think the Cozumel opens the coverage wider distributing the light much better.
I'm not sure about the Cebu. It's too simple.
But the Cebu is BILLION TIMES BETTER THAN LEDs.
Sorry, I got too excited. ;Wideyed
Let us know how you like it!
Grandis.

We shall see!

Broadfield · Oct 12, 2017

Kmsutows said:
Why 250 and not 400w? When you said aurora I figured you meant the MH hybrid aurora which is MH/led. Spectra is just MH/t5? Too many variations!

The tank is only 22" deep and the fixture is hung 9" AWL... so there is PLENTY of punch. Actually maybe a little too much lol. Don't forget that there's a tad over 200 watts of T5 also.

The Aurora is a T5/LED.... there is no Giesemann fixture that is MH/LED.
The Infinity is a DE MH/T5.
The the Spectra is a SE MH/T5.

Anirban said:
I forgot....which ballasts are you using? Is your spectra a 250 watt or 400 watt model?

The ballasts are the Luxcore 250/400 watt adjustable. I'm using 250 watt bulbs in mine.

Kmsutows · Oct 12, 2017

Ahh well thank you for the explanation... my tank is, I think, 30" tall so I guess 400 is way to go for me.

What is SE and DE?

rtparty · Oct 12, 2017

Kmsutows said:
Ahh well thank you for the explanation... my tank is, I think, 30" tall so I guess 400 is way to go for me.

What is SE and DE?

SE is Single Ended
DE is Double Ended or also called HQI

A. grandis · Oct 12, 2017

rtparty said:
Over the years I've used almost every light source available to us in the hobby. Started with Current USA power compacts, upgraded to a single 150w Phoenix, then straight T5, then all LED (too many brands to even remember including Ecotech), then onto an ATI Powermodule LED and finally I'm back to MH and T5 with Giesemann Spectra. Hands down the Spectra is my favorite. Not a single LED fixture I used or went to see in person compares in MY eyes. Even my wife is disappointed when we walk into a LFS and they are running all LED. She always asks why the light isn't as beautiful as ours.

A Radium with 2 Blue Plus, 1 Coral Plus and 1 ATI Actinic is money for me. Corals look incredible and colors are exceeding my expectations so far. Halide works for me though since I need the heat in a 68° basement any way, electricity is thankfully cheap still and I know I can run halides for 2 years before replacing. With some new BRS testing coming out, I'll even run my T5s for 18-24 months now. In my case, LEDs would cost so much more to run and the initial cost was more for the fixtures I wanted. Got my Spectra with multiple bulbs for less than $400.

All the LFS should stop promoting the fake LED "technology" propaganda. That marketing is a snow ball made up to give illusions to the newbies around the globe. It is actually regression! LEDs didn't come to stay IMHO. They have their place for fish only tanks and that's it! Not even planted tanks.
I know that some stores/farmers are starting to realize that and they saw the light at the end of the tunnel. That light was a MH/T5 combo!

I do hope and call all the people in the hobby and trade to wake up now!
Wake up, Mr. Sanjay! Time to enjoy your corals as they should!
Wake up WWC! It's ok to put those beautiful halides on! We love you guys!
I'll visit you and would love to see those acros very happy!!!
Revolution MH/T5!

Aloha,
Grandis.

Anirban · Oct 12, 2017

@Broadfield The ballasts are the Luxcore 250/400 watt adjustable. I'm using 250 watt bulbs in mine.[/QUOTE]

I heard Spectra comes in 250 or 400 watt model. Is that true?

A. grandis · Oct 12, 2017

BoomCorals said:
We shall see!

I'm very happy for you, my friend.
You will be so glad!
Grandis.

FlyinBryan · Oct 12, 2017

I'd still do MH & T5 if it weren't for cost of running and bulb replacement.

Murica · Oct 12, 2017

250 vs 400 watt for spectra? Gonna have mixed reef with a few sps. Tank is 30 inches deep

Broadfield · Oct 12, 2017

Anirban said:
I heard Spectra comes in 250 or 400 watt model. Is that true?

There's no wattage rating associated with the fixture... that's the ballasts.

DSC reef · Oct 12, 2017

Murica said:
250 vs 400 watt for spectra? Gonna have mixed reef with a few sps. Tank is 30 inches deep

250 with T5 supplements or 400 for halide only. Technically 400 with T5 will work too, especially if you end SPS dominant.

Anirban · Oct 12, 2017

Broadfield said:
There's no wattage rating associated with the fixture... that's the ballasts.

I also thought the same but I saw this on coralvue website..
http://www.coralvue.com/giesemann-spectra-se-metal-halide-t5-fixture-iridium
Choose from 250w or 400w model with single(2ft), double(4ft) or triple(6ft) single ended lamp. Fixture is 17.25 x 3.5in wide. Metal halide ballast sold separately.

Broadfield · Oct 12, 2017

Anirban said:
I also thought the same but I saw this on coralvue website..
http://www.coralvue.com/giesemann-spectra-se-metal-halide-t5-fixture-iridium
Choose from 250w or 400w model with single(2ft), double(4ft) or triple(6ft) single ended lamp. Fixture is 17.25 x 3.5in wide. Metal halide ballast sold separately.

It's just the bad language translation. You can choose to run a 250 or 400 watt bulbs... not choose between 250 or 400 model.