Transitioning to Metal Halides

[plippert21]

MH first timer here. I am giving Metal Halides a shot over my frag system. For it I have two hybrid reefbrites 250W MH fixture with their Blue XHO strips.

I am going to be running the MH for 6 hours with the LED strips one the entire time. 1.5 hours before and after the MH.

I’ve raised the fixture high enough where the par is 400-500 when the MH are on. When they are off the LED strips provide just 100 par. Is 100 par during ramp up and down doing anything? Is it enough for the SPS to get 4-500 par for 6 hours at peak with 3 hours of 100 par?

 

[Reefering1]

Is this a already running frag tank with sticks in it?

 

[Doctorgori]

do frags even need 400-500 par?
(legit question, non rhetorical)

 

[OrionN]

It going to be really difficult to get bulbs for it.

 

[Reefering1]

It going to be really difficult to get bulbs for it.

maybe, hopefully not. Aquabright solutions is new supplier, Dave from Hamilton is involved, with the production of new bulbs and promise of fixtures/ ballasts pending.

https://aquabrightsolutions.com/

 

[Reefering1]

do frags even need 400-500 par?
(legit question, non rhetorical)

In all fairness, he doesn't need a reef tank at all- let alone a frag tank

 

[plippert21]

Is this a already running frag tank with sticks in it?

Yes, pretty well stocked with acros and montis. It’s tied in to my main system and has been running about 3 years.

 

[plippert21]

It going to be really difficult to get bulbs for it.

I have 3 sets of bulbs for it. So should be good for the next three years. 2 sets of radium and 1 set of Ushio.

 

[jackson6745]

400-500 par from halide is great. As long as you’re not running a stripped nutrient system your frags will love the light. 6 hrs halide daily is pretty standard. Run the supplements as long as you want for viewing, it won’t matter.

 

[plippert21]

Here’s a pic of the setup. Only have the LEDs on.

 

[plippert21]

400-500 par from halide is great. As long as you’re not running a stripped nutrient system your frags will love the light. 6 hrs halide daily is pretty standard. Run the supplements as long as you want for viewing, it won’t matter.

Appreciate it Jackson! Good intel.

 

[plippert21]

Also a pic of the display just because.

 

[Backreefing]

I have 3 sets of bulbs for it. So should be good for the next three years. 2 sets of radium and 1 set of Ushio.

Btw metal halide bulbs go 2 years easy . Especially at 6 hours a day. I run mine at 7 hours a day and 2 years easy . Honestly I think they can go longer .

 

[Brandont21]

I wouldnt worry about bulbs. When you find em, order a couple. I did that for a while and now i have years worth of bulbs. I run mine for 7 hours and my sticks took off

 

[plippert21]

I wouldnt worry about bulbs. When you find em, order a couple. I did that for a while and now i have years worth of bulbs. I run mine for 7 hours and my sticks took off

Very good to know! Thank you!

I’m excited to see how the growth under Halides/reefbrite hybrid compares to my T5 LED hybrid set up.

 

[minus9]

I think you could've used one RB pendant with some Quanta Pro meso blue bars on either side and covered that tank nicely, plus you'll only need to replace one bulb. Move the light hungry sticks directly under the halide and the rest move to the sides. Just a thought in case you want to set up another frag tank. ;)

 

[plippert21]

I think you could've used one RB pendant with some Quanta Pro meso blue bars on either side and covered that tank nicely, plus you'll only need to replace one bulb. Move the light hungry sticks directly under the halide and the rest move to the sides. Just a thought in case you want to set up another frag tank. ;)

I was just thinking I needed to add a fourth tank! The wife will surely appreciate it.

 

[A. grandis]

MH first timer here. I am giving Metal Halides a shot over my frag system. For it I have two hybrid reefbrites 250W MH fixture with their Blue XHO strips.

I am going to be running the MH for 6 hours with the LED strips one the entire time. 1.5 hours before and after the MH.

I’ve raised the fixture high enough where the par is 400-500 when the MH are on. When they are off the LED strips provide just 100 par. Is 100 par during ramp up and down doing anything? Is it enough for the SPS to get 4-500 par for 6 hours at peak with 3 hours of 100 par?

Forget all together about PAR when comparing LEDs to halides. Use the lamps 1 or 2 hours a day at first and increase slowly to adapt the corals to halides. It is much simpler than you think!