thinking of changing lights. Opinions requested.

[Raato]

I have been running sunpod 150w MH's on my 75 for the last 6 or 7 years, and I am getting tired of the light spectrum shifting and investing in new lights every 6-9 months.

I am considering changing over to LED, but I dont want to buy crappy LED's either. So I am turning to the forum for a little guidance. I do not want to spend 2k on lights but dont want to buy cheap knock offs with 1w either.

Its approximately 18 inches from the top of the water to the top of the sand with just a few softies(zoas palys rics) and a couple fish and inverts. I have had no luck with sps with the current setup so I am not necessarily going to start with them at this point.

Any advise or rule of thumb?

[moondoggy4]

Not sure why you are experiencing a spectrum shift after 7 months when most MH can go 18 months before needing to be changed.

Look into either dual 350 Kessil Tuna Blues Wide, 500 for the pair, or Kessil 360 e W

[Raato]

I don't know why it happens but it does happen. My top layer of liverock starts to get a thick layer of hair algae. IMO It is definitely not due to my water, 0 tds coming out of my RO/DI. IMO It is definitely not due to over feeding since I don't feed the 2 clowns but once a week. If I replace the lights the algae goes away to return in 6-9 months. This has been the cycle for about 4 years. When the algae pops up the corals stop growing and then take back off after replacement bulbs installed. I am just getting weary of spending $120+ every 9 months or so.

Water quality has been very consistent over the last 2 years.
PH8.0
Amm 0
NO3 5
No2 0
PO4 0
Dkh 10
Ca 520
MG 1400
temp 78
Salinity 1.026
So that's why I feel the problem has to be the lights. If I am wrong please help me out with some advise.

I am undecided between a few LED's; Radion XR30w Pro(more than I want to spend but an option), AI Hydra 52, Kessil A360W-E, aquabeam 2000 ultima. I like the flexibility of the pod style so when we upgrade from the 75 to a 125 this year I can just add a new pod or two.

[moondoggy4]

Which MH bulbs are you using? How close are the bulbs to the water?

[Raato]

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

Which MH bulbs are you using? How close are the bulbs to the water?

Since I have gone through so many bulbs I have tried various bulbs ushio, XM, and phoenix are the ones I know of off the top of my head. I usually try and get 14k but have even tried 20k. I have not tried Radiums though

I would say the legs are 3 inches and then 1 1/2-2 inches to top of water and the closest rock to the top of the water is about 6 inches. Open top tank no glass netting or eggcrate.

I also replaced both ballast in July of 2012 thinking that may have been the problem.

[Typlus5]

Originally Posted by Raato

I am undecided between a few LED's; Radion XR30w Pro(more than I want to spend but an option), AI Hydra 52, Kessil A360W-E, aquabeam 2000 ultima. I like the flexibility of the pod style so when we upgrade from the 75 to a 125 this year I can just add a new pod or two.

With a 75 gal Radion XR15 Pros will be more than enough. I have two of them on a 110 and still run them at 60%. When you upgrade you can add more as described.