Halides are back!!

xraymatt · Feb 21, 2018

I've been thinking about this for quite some time, and yesterday I decided to re-install a couple halide lights. My 220 has a center overflow, so the lighting setup includes two Hydra 52's down each side and kessil 360's on the ends (total of 6 LED light sources.
I haven't been impressed with the kessil coloration and the growth rate, so I decided to take the kessils down and see what the halides looked like. Instantly I realized why I've always preferred metal halide lights versus LED's. For now I'm keeping the Hydra 52's down the sides of the tank. I ordered a couple new German Radium 20K bulbs, which should be in tomorrow.
I ran metal halides for the past 17 years up until I installed the Hydra 52's last year and I must say, I still prefer halides (the corals agree!).
**Solar on the house will prevent a spike in the electric bill!

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solitude127 · Feb 21, 2018

If heat weren't an issue, I'd definitely be running halides.

xraymatt · Feb 21, 2018

solitude127 said:

That's a good point. I ran into similar issues in the past with halides. The trick for me was good air flow between the lights and the water. It also helps to have solar on the house, so I can keep the house cool in the summer!!!

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djrice69 · Feb 21, 2018

If u got solar might as well run chillers

xraymatt · Feb 21, 2018

djrice69 said:

Chillers are a must out here in the desert!!

orbela · Feb 21, 2018

I always wondered if the corals feel the heat of the MH and that solar heat radiation mimics the real sun and they thrive off because of it. Also the MH create its own circulation of cool and warm water

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xraymatt · Feb 21, 2018

orbela said:

Could be, Orbel. My first set of MH lights were the old 6500K Iwasaki bulbs back in 2000. It wasn't until I discovered the Radiums that I realized how yellow those were!! But different lights work for different people. It's a matter of your preference and what your intentions are with your corals. There's so many choices out there and I don't think there's a wrong choice to make.

djrice69 · Feb 21, 2018

I grew up with DE phonix bulbs and ice cap and sunlight supply ballast were the thing

SPEARGUNHUNTER · Feb 21, 2018

I run mine during the winter sps love it

joseserrano · Feb 21, 2018

I flirt with the idea of a hybrid all the time.

five.five-six · Feb 21, 2018

Ive been running 2X radiums 20ks on my 135 and heat is no problem at all. No chiller just a pair of small fans up top and a sump fan. I love the color of the radiums but I think I am going to switch to 10k aqualine busch for 9 moths to grow out my frags. Yellower to be sure but a lot brighter.

xraymatt · Feb 21, 2018

My new radium 20K bulbs came in today. Refresh my memory about the break in period and how long they take to reach their intended color. Right out of the box they seem on the white side.

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Mr V · Feb 21, 2018

I would only run halide if I have large frag system that I need more coverage than viewing pleasure.
But its just my opinion.

xraymatt · Feb 22, 2018

Mr V said:

Makes sense. I've definitely seen a drop in growth rate since adding the LED's last year. Don't get me wrong, the Hydra 52's are awesome lights, but there's something magical about 20K radium metal halides.

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Halides are back!!

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