No love for MH?
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ca1ore
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I actually agree. I used MH (plus VHO actinics) for almost 20 years before gradually switching over to LED. I still prefer the look of MH, but LED just works better overall for me. The thing I don’t like is how many folks tune their
LED lights for that distorted look. If you go for a more balanced look I don’t think that corals look more natural by a long stretch. As a diver, I can tell you that none of the reef tank light choices available can touch what you see on a natural shallow reef, even if MH gets slightly closer. LED actually do a better job of replicating the deeper reefs.
ca1ore
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Interesting that’s it’s about 3:1 people not using MH versus using MH. I’m actually a bit surprised it’s that high given the dearth of good MH fixtures and bulbs these days. They ARE still available, of course, but not like they used to be. That’s partly what prompted me to make the shift ..... saw the writing on the wall. Perhaps there will be a ‘renaissance’ akin to vinyl LPs, though I tend to doubt it.
Bpb
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That’s a valid point. But to that avail...your previous tank was using some....1020 watts of lighting, replaced by 270 watts, likely not even run at full power. Your power draw is significantly less but your intensity and coverage will also be significantly less as well. While leds enjoy some increased lumen per watt efficiency, there’s a massive disparity there in those two particular light sources. I could be wrong though. Also depends on what you’re growing. If you’re focusing on euphyllia and the like, the decreased wattage will probably be appreciated
I’m going to try sps since I went with the 90s. I do notice that the tank does not glow the same. I do know that I can’t look at the led light without getting blinded. The dc pumps are also a huge power savings.
biecacka
Valuable Member
I switched to leds and noticed a 7$ a month difference In my electric bill. I don’t run a chiller, no need. I run the house ac in the summer as normal. The start up cost of leds will make it a long time before the $7 a month is worth it. Plus my leds are already back at the manufacture getting fixed and diodes replaced. Not complaining. Just pointing out that they don’t last 10 years like everyone thought they would and depending on where you live he electric savings is minimal. Especially if you have a larger tank and swap watts for watts to get the coverage you need.
I lit my cube with 2 halides each one 250 watts, I’d need at least 4 radion G4’s to get close to the coverage. Granted they might not run at 100%.....but they might. I run the orpheks pretty hard and more towards the radium spectrum (their growth and color program).
corey
I lit my cube with 2 halides each one 250 watts, I’d need at least 4 radion G4’s to get close to the coverage. Granted they might not run at 100%.....but they might. I run the orpheks pretty hard and more towards the radium spectrum (their growth and color program).
corey
I am missing my MHs. Switched to LEDs about 6 months ago and feel I wasted my money. MHs just have such diffuse beautiful light and the coral growth is healthy and crazy fast. However, the heat, energy, evaporation, temp swings, and bulky hoods are negatives.
Butcher333
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Just purchased 250w and 400w radium for my new tank I’m setting up soon. I’ve been through all the options.
How well do pictures online represent the actual color look of different MH bulbs? I cannot decide between 14k and 20k. I do not like the crazy actinic blue from LEDs/T5s but I do like a little/moderate blue. 400 watt 14k seems not to be popular. I was then thinking well if I get a switchable ballast I can go from trying 250w 14k to 400w 20k but I have heard that magnetic ballasts put out more par/are better so if I want that I cannot do the easy try it and switch.
Now maybe to avoid worrying about this I just use the supplemental T5s to make more or less blue. Would going 14k with blue T5s or 20k w whitish T5s be a better idea?
Now maybe to avoid worrying about this I just use the supplemental T5s to make more or less blue. Would going 14k with blue T5s or 20k w whitish T5s be a better idea?
Bpb
2500 Club Member
Pictures will vary just as much as with any light. Before apps like Lightroom were so readily available, people just had bad cameras and took bad pictures. It’s hard to trust anything to be honest.
I think which reflectors you will be using as well as your tank dimensions will be deciding factors on what bulb wattage you go with
I think which reflectors you will be using as well as your tank dimensions will be deciding factors on what bulb wattage you go with
Bpb
2500 Club Member
Likely because it is out of fashion I would bet the number one reason is. The 400 watt radium has become such a gold standard for people wanting to illuminate big tanks in big reflectors. The few people that actually still use MH seem to gravitate toward that bulb.
JOKER
2500 Club Member
My tank is 16" deep, and I run 20K 250 watt radium with 2 blue + ati, and 2 actinic ati bulbs. I love the color, it has blue tint, but plenty of white as well. Very pleasing to my eye. I do however plan to add some LED strips soon so I can add some pop.
You pretty much answered your own question, but also factor in increased power usage & increased heat output from a 400 wt bulb compared to a 250 wt. Unless your tank is taller than say 30" I really can't see needing 400's vs 250's. My tank is 30" high & I run 250's - corals/clams at bottom are thriving. HTH
I had a MH fixture for years. They run so hot, the electric meter spins, my AC ran much more in the summer and I think they are an increased fire hazard due to the temps they run. Converted to LEDs and will not be changing back. The LED spectrum will only get better over the years.
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