MH question

Little Luey · 04-11-2006, 08:55 AM

The MH lighting, being so expensive, is it worth to have them or could I just double up on my PC fixture?
I cannot see myself expending MH money to have them on only a few hours a day and/or having to get a chiller to keep my water cool.
Is it worth all the trouble?

Geoff · 04-11-2006, 10:07 AM

what do you want to keep? this is really the determining factor.

it is totally dependant on the depth of the tank. tanks over 30" tall will need MH's. tanks under 12" it really does not matter. in between anything goes to an extent. MH's are very efficient at producing light. they do produce more heat, but the light per watt is very high. also the penetrating power of a MH is very good. it is a point source instead of an indirect light source.

is your tank a 20h or a 20l? a twenty long than doubling up the fixtures will be fine. a 20h it may be cheaper electricity wise to get an MH. a 175w would be plenty.

G~

Viv · 04-11-2006, 10:12 AM

I think its got more to do with the type of corals your keeping. Generally "SPS" corals need more intense lighting, (MH), whereas "LPS" or soft corals prefer less intense lighting, (Compact Flourescent). Of course there are a few who have beautiful "SPS" tanks running on T-5's, which aren't MH and are a bit more intense than the CF...there are always exceptions, but generally, IMO, its got to do with the corals your keeping.

Little Luey · 04-11-2006, 10:28 AM

Well, I am not sure what I want in the tank, I know I want more color in it and the SPS will give me that, but I also like the Blastos, Acan Lords. What kind of light do they need?
I guess I am looking for change but I don't quite know what I want yet. My tank is a 20H, I've been also thinking about getting a 24"cube, just so I can keep using the PC fixture I have now and have room to add some other light.

I guess I want something more animated than SPS with nice brilliant colors. Any ideas?

Twitterbait · 04-11-2006, 01:54 PM

the nice thing with MH is you only need to replace the bulb once a year and you don't need as many bulbs on your tank...

wharyat · 04-11-2006, 04:35 PM

If your plan is just for the LPS types, doubling your current PC's wouldn't be bad.

I just recently stepped into the world of MH and can honestly say that I will never use anything besides MH for main lighting again. The crisp clean light is just something fluos can't provide.

175 would be more than enough. With enough fans you wouldn't need a chiller, just an auto top-off device.