Metal halide antiquated or still relevant?

[Jonathan Troutt]

Will a 125g or larger in my future im starting to think about lighting. Ive always enjoyed the look you get with MH but looks like led has really taken over. Is MH still relevant in our hobby? My thought was some MH with led supplementation to get colors to pop. Who is still using MH?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

My main tank uses MH, I've used MH since I started in the hobby almost 20 years ago, I will always have an MH tank. My MH has 2 OR3 bars for supplement.

 

[Reefering1]

Mine run pheonix14k bulbs with no supplement

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

My main tank uses MH, I've used MH since I started in the hobby almost 20 years ago, I will always have an MH tank. My MH has 2 OR3 bars for supplement.

Mine run pheonix14k bulbs with no supplement

What size tanks do you have? Do you run chillers? How much do the halides increase the ambient temps in your home? Energy cost, is it a noticeable increase?

I know MH bulbs produce uva and uvb, are these wavelengths beneficial for corals and fish? And research you guys know about regarding these topics vs led?

Personally i feel like mh with led supplementation is like best of both worlds. I get that adding MH adds another layer of complexity but all the tanks ive seen that use MH look great.

And speaking of seeing tanks you guys got some pictures of your tanks

 

[Borat]

Nowadays metal halide are
for girls and LEDs are for boys. So a very simple choice to make - either you are a boy or a girl!

 

[AcroNem]

Well, bulbs are becoming more difficult to find. But in my opinion nothing beats a Radium even today. I run LED on many systems, but still use Halide on a couple.

 

[akma]

Will a 125g or larger in my future im starting to think about lighting. Ive always enjoyed the look you get with MH but looks like led has really taken over. Is MH still relevant in our hobby? My thought was some MH with led supplementation to get colors to pop. Who is still using MH?

I have a hard time with LED's. I've tried aquaillumination, radions, kessil, orphek, chinese boxes.
I always go back to T5's or halides.

My current 100 gallon I am running a powermodule.

I'm in the works for a larger tank downstairs. I will be going halides for that tank.

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

Nowadays metal halide are
for girls and LEDs are for boys. So a very simple choice to make - either you are a boy or a girl!

I identify as a meat popsicle…. ;)

 

[design.maddie]

I am a big believer in HQI bulbs. Something about a 14k double ended bulb just does it for me. I can enjoy the deep blues of LEDs but something about the crisp punch of a metal halide is just so tasty.

Nowadays metal halide are for girls and LEDs are for boys.

This cracked me up so much because this girl is about to suggest HQI bulbs.

 

[Yanir34]

Will a 125g or larger in my future im starting to think about lighting. Ive always enjoyed the look you get with MH but looks like led has really taken over. Is MH still relevant in our hobby? My thought was some MH with led supplementation to get colors to pop. Who is still using MH?

MH is still excellent choice

 

[Jbrown]

Mine run pheonix14k bulbs with no supplement

Where are you buying these bulbs? I have been looking for some
'

 

[Yanir34]

Where are you buying these bulbs? I have been looking for some
'

Aqua bright solutions , reef brite , giessmann shop

 

[Science/G]

I miss metal halides. Funny thing is, some of the latest led lights are trying to emulate that look. The hydra edge with its solar ring, and the Reef Breeder Meridians with 3.5k and 5.5k LEDs, which are really nice BTW!

 

[fish_collector]

I'm probably never going to use a MH ever again, but dang I miss them. If it's shimmer you want, Kessils with their point source of light do just that.