Your favorite Metal Halides for Acropora Growth and Coloration

[CNDReef]

Yep. Remember Garf Grunge?

Yes sir , it’s funny how evolution keeps going full circle all the time in this hobby

 

[wrassie86]

Doe's anybody know for sure if a 315-watt cmh ballast will or will not light a DE bulb? Sure would be close to the M80. or a single ended radium.

 

[Reefahholic]

And here it is with only Hamilton 14K and no supplements. Bulbs weren’t on that long, but I don’t think it will be too much different. Maybe a little and they still need to burn in, but honestly 14K is pretty boring alone. It’s basically just like the sun shinning into the tank. Will grow the corals, but doesn’t look good unless you supplement it IMO. Again, this is 25” off the surface of the water.

This next pic is LED’s only around 15K before I cleaned the tank.

 

[X-37B]

This is an older pic of my 120.
250 watt de 14k phoenix 14" off the surface.
With no supplemental blues.
This needed no blue, imo.
I did add 2 Orphek blues later though.
Second pic is the T5's just before I hung the halides.

 

[xabo]

I've only used the mogul version, but the phoenix 14K was a awesome bulb by itself.

 

[X-37B]

I've only used the mogul version, but the phoenix 14K was a awesome bulb by itself.

I actuall have both de and mogal and prefer the mogals color to the de. Both are great lamps though and really need no blue.

 

[njreefkeeper]

Quick question…does anyone know where one might find the reflective aluminum sheeting to cut and make a large halide reflector?

 

[crusso1993]

Quick question…does anyone know where one might find the reflective aluminum sheeting to cut and make a large halide reflector?

There are many places to find reflective aluminum sheeting. You're going to want to confirm that the sheets are either "highly polished" or have a "mirror finish" to them. Do yourself a favor and double verify this as not everyone sees these things as the same.

 

[njreefkeeper]

There are many places to find reflective aluminum sheeting. You're going to want to confirm that the sheets are either "highly polished" or have a "mirror finish" to them. Do yourself a favor and double verify this as not everyone sees these things as the same.

I’ve been looking online but can’t seem to find what I’m looking for.

 

[crusso1993]

I’ve been looking online but can’t seem to find what I’m looking for.

That is interesting. I know that there are sellers of "mirrored" aluminum sheets on Amazon. I am unsure of the size of the sheets.

You are obviously in NJ. Maybe not too far from @Crabby48 ! If so, you have my condolences! LOL! But seriously, I would recommend contacting local metal shops around you to see what they have or can get. Yeah, it may cost a little more but, at least, you'll be able to see and feel what you're buying.

 

[xabo]

Maybe:

 

[crusso1993]

Maybe:

Little too small to make a reflector and pricey for that size.

 

[Crabby48]

That is interesting. I know that there are sellers of "mirrored" aluminum sheets on Amazon. I am unsure of the size of the sheets.

You are obviously in NJ. Maybe not too far from @Crabby48 ! If so, you have my condolences! LOL! But seriously, I would recommend contacting local metal shops around you to see what they have or can get. Yeah, it may cost a little more but, at least, you'll be able to see and feel what you're buying.

What we looking for?

 

[SpSDrew]

Watch Away. LEDS Vs. Halides

 

[crusso1993]

What we looking for?

Highly polished/mirrored aluminum to make a MH reflector.

 

[X-37B]

Ebay people.

0.100" x 24" x 36", 5052-H32 Aluminum Sheet (Mill w/PVC) | eBay

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.040 Mirror Aluminum Sheet 24" x 24" | eBay

"Why buy a full length when all you need is a remnant?". Finish: Mirror Finish. Shape: Sheet. Material: Aluminum.

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[Crabby48]

Highly polished/mirrored aluminum to make a MH reflector.

Any old aluminum from hardware store and a buffer and compounds will make it a mirror. Don’t have to use polishing rouge. A course compound for cars and a finer one will work. Or an aluminum polish and buffer would work.

 

[Smite]

And here it is with only Hamilton 14K and no supplements. Bulbs weren’t on that long, but I don’t think it will be too much different. Maybe a little and they still need to burn in, but honestly 14K is pretty boring alone. It’s basically just like the sun shinning into the tank. Will grow the corals, but doesn’t look good unless you supplement it IMO. Again, this is 25” off the surface of the water.

This next pic is LED’s only around 15K before I cleaned the tank.

Looking forward to seeing how the tank progresses.

Sorry to hear the 14k Hamiltons seem a little bland for you at the moment. Hopefully your experience ends up being positive with some time. Maybe in a month or two you'll flick off those radions and see that your corals colored up to the MH,14k spectrum.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Watch Away. LEDS Vs. Halides

FACTS .

Wow good stuff

 

[SpSDrew]

FACTS .

Wow good stuff

It will be interesting to see what they do with this. IMO there are nothing wrong with LEDs (they do grow coral) but is there a missing benefit that UV-B is providing to kill bacteria linked to STN/RTN? Who knows. Cant prove or disprove anything at this point.

The real winner is the spectrum comparison as well as temperature comparison. I would buy a 250 watt halide fixture over a Radion any day.