Metal halide SPS growth rate

reefpanda · Jun 29, 2025

Just sharing 19 days growth rate of this SPS since switching back to 10k metal halides & T5 combo. The skeletal growth outpaces the “skin” significantly.

Sorry for the blurry pics

WhatCouldGoWrong71 · Jun 29, 2025

I started using Halides in November, I also doubled my LED fixtured count too and I also use T5s. I started with 10K (My favorite) but one of my Ushio's popped and I haven't been able to find replacement Ushio 10Ks. But I got turned on to Radiums, these are pretty sweet. Yeah, growth was crazy different. I did a mutli tank consolidation into my new system. So it was crazy to watch coral that grew "x" amount under LED/T5 vs. now, for me it was like (exponetial x exponetial) = where I am at today. As I acclimated up I watched my nutrients come down. I am starting to worry where I should be nutrient wise. What have your nutrients been doing? For example - my No3 went from 35 to 6(now) Coral look fine, but could they be better? I have even more intense flow (basically an SPS tank). I've increased my feedings to my fish too, still my nutrients continue to come down. I've started dosing ammonia about 45 days ago, seems to be working well. Again, I haven't increase my dosing amount and feel like I should, but I also don't want to muck it up. What are your nutrients like?

reefpanda · Jun 29, 2025

WhatCouldGoWrong71 said:
I started using Halides in November, I also doubled my LED fixtured count too and I also use T5s. I started with 10K (My favorite) but one of my Ushio's popped and I haven't been able to find replacement Ushio 10Ks. But I got turned on to Radiums, these are pretty sweet. Yeah, growth was crazy different. I did a mutli tank consolidation into my new system. So it was crazy to watch coral that grew "x" amount under LED/T5 vs. now, for me it was like (exponetial x exponetial) = where I am at today. As I acclimated up I watched my nutrients come down. I am starting to worry where I should be nutrient wise. What have your nutrients been doing? For example - my No3 went from 35 to 6(now) Coral look fine, but could they be better? I have even more intense flow (basically an SPS tank). I've increased my feedings to my fish too, still my nutrients continue to come down. I've started dosing ammonia about 45 days ago, seems to be working well. Again, I haven't increase my dosing amount and feel like I should, but I also don't want to muck it up. What are your nutrients like?

Yes I’m in a similar situation as you with regards to nutrients, coming in at No3 about 5. Have increased my feeding and pushed out my water changes.

p1u5h13r4m24 · Jun 29, 2025

Interesting I wanted to try halides. I have led/t5 combo right now. My issue is I know nothing about halides and when I search for a fixture online I can’t find any

reefpanda · Jun 29, 2025

p1u5h13r4m24 said:
Interesting I wanted to try halides. I have led/t5 combo right now. My issue is I know nothing about halides and when I search for a fixture online I can’t find any

I’m actually using an outdoor MH 150w double ended fixture over a makeshift light rack

p1u5h13r4m24 · Jun 29, 2025

Killing me bro

p1u5h13r4m24 · Jun 29, 2025

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WhatCouldGoWrong71 · Jun 29, 2025

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WhatCouldGoWrong71 · Jun 29, 2025

I may need to spread the lighting load over 3 EBs not 2. I have 16 individual lights to plug in. It worked out well half of each split between two EBs. However, I just smoked a onboard circuit breaker on one of them (not the power supply, the onboard breaker). I'm in full spectrum for 9.5 hours with the Radions near 100% for that time. The amps add up... As does the machine I have to put the quarters in.

reefpanda · Jun 29, 2025

WhatCouldGoWrong71 said:
I may need to spread the lighting load over 3 EBs not 2. I have 16 individual lights to plug in. It worked out well half of each split between two EBs. However, I just smoked a onboard circuit breaker on one of them (not the power supply, the onboard breaker). I'm in full spectrum for 9.5 hours with the Radions near 100% for that time. The amps add up... As does the machine I have to put the quarters in.

What a setup and the results really shows how much success you’re having with growth. Followed you on ig

YashaHashaMashaAZ · Jun 29, 2025

Not yall tryna have halides make a comback haha

I loved halides back in the day. 14-15k guy myself. I dont miss the intense heat not only from the bulb but ballast as well!

SpSDrew · Jun 29, 2025

6500k bulbs are by far the best for growth.

billyocean · Jun 29, 2025

SpSDrew said:
6500k bulbs are by far the best for growth.

Nice!

p1u5h13r4m24 · Jun 29, 2025

SpSDrew said:
6500k bulbs are by far the best for growth.

What fixture is that. I’m getting a tan just looking at it

SpSDrew · Jun 29, 2025

p1u5h13r4m24 said:
What fixture is that. I’m getting a tan just looking at it

Reefbrite fixtures and electronic ballast.

bobnicaragua · Jul 1, 2025

SpSDrew said:
6500k bulbs are by far the best for growth.

I’m running 20k halides and LEDs. I tried 10K bulbs for a little while years ago and growth was defenetly faster. I didn’t like the brown look of the acros under the yellow light in my display tank.

How do your corals color up with the 6500k bulbs and all those blue LEDs?