Metal Halide T5 Hybrid Users Thread

[Crabs McJones]

For those who follow my build thread, I recently acquired a Hamilton Metal Halide T5 Hybrid Fixture. I see tons of LED threads, so I thought itd be interesting to see an old school lighting thread. I've only been running this system for 2 days, and have been running an acclimation, but I love the difference so far! Running a Hamilton 36" hybrid with a single 250 watt 20k bulb and two 420nm and two 460nm t5s :)

Please share your photos along with any hints, tips or tricks you may have :D

 

[tdileo]

Color looks incredible! Very nice.

 

[dbl]

That looks great Zach.

 

[DSC reef]

I'll play! My only trick was just turning the light switch on;Hilarious

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'll play! My only trick was just turning the light switch on;Hilarious

Love it! What bulb combo were you utilizing?

 

[DSC reef]

Thanks! 2-150 watt Hamilton 20k halide bulbs with all geismann T5 bulbs. 3 blue actinic and 1 super actinic. Ran the ATI bulbs for years and decided to try geismann, wish I did it sooner.

 

[BoomCorals]

Tagging along :D

 

[Mal11224]

Hey @Crabs Mcjones . What made you change out the AP700 for the MH?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Hey @Crabs Mcjones . What made you change out the AP700 for the MH?

It's a bit of a story, but in summary I realized that my explosion in growth happened after adding t5s to my ap700. And dont get me wrong the ap700 was growing the coral, but not until after I added t5s did they really start to BOOM. So a very good friend of mine suggested I give metal halide and t5s a try to see if I liked it better and see if my corals like it better. So I said sure! And well...here we are :)

 

[Acroporaaddict]

Giesemann Spectra 24"
250w Radium on m80 ballast
2 Blue+, 1 Purple+, Actinic
Reefbrite XHO Blue

Switched from an ATI powermodule 2 months ago and the color and growth is already getting so much better

 

[Crabs McJones]

Giesemann Spectra 24"
250w Radium on m80 ballast
2 Blue+, 1 Purple+, Actinic
Reefbrite XHO Blue

Switched from an ATI powermodule 2 months ago and the color and growth is already getting so much better

I love it! What K metal halide are you running?

 

[Mal11224]

It's a bit of a story, but in summary I realized that my explosion in growth happened after adding t5s to my ap700. And dont get me wrong the ap700 was growing the coral, but not until after I added t5s did they really start to BOOM. So a very good friend of mine suggested I give metal halide and t5s a try to see if I liked it better and see if my corals like it better. So I said sure! And well...here we are :)

I definitely can understand. My growth was great after adding the T5 fixture. I'm sure you will love the MH. Especially if you want to grow acros. They will look great under the MH. can't deny what works.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I definitely can understand. My growth was great after adding the T5 fixture. I'm sure you will love the MH. Especially if you want to grow acros. They will look great under the MH. can't deny what works.

Best part is, it doesnt really effect my temp all that much. I only observed a .5 degree increase. The fixture has a glass panel, and uses two big fans to cool everything down. So the heats carried away before it has a chance to radiate to the tank.

 

[3mm3]

May be a bit overkill.

Hamilton Cayman sun. ATI 03 actinic

 

[Mal11224]

Best part is, it doesnt really effect my temp all that much. I only observed a .5 degree increase. The fixture has a glass panel, and uses two big fans to cool everything down. So the hearts carried away before it has a chance to radiate to the tank.

That is a good thing. I know MH can carry some heat. Will be interesting to see the results.

 

[Sits Unafraid]

My first reef was a 40 breeder with a hand me down 150W 14K MH T5 combo and i loved it. back before i had much of a clue about coral placement

 

[Acroporaaddict]

I love it! What K metal halide are you running?

Radium is a 20k bulb

 

[Reefcowboy]

48 inch Spectra with two Orphek Sky Blue led strips.
Halide is simply awesome with sps, period.

 

[Reefchris28]

Awesome thread to go ahead and start. I also use my/t5 combo. Here is my lil 24” Maristar fixture.
Phoenix 14k 150w, ATI blue+ and coral+ and reefbrite lumi light strip.

 

[BoomCorals]

Some great setups here. :)