Buy these things before you fill your tank.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by hkgar

It is not thunderstorms, but lightening storms - there ain't no noise, and clouds are just your tank getting darker for a period of time. Trust me, the fun lasts at most week, you soon find you are doubtfully not even looking at the tank when they do occur.

I have those features on two tanks and never use them. Fun for a short time, then distracting. However I do love my dim-able LED fixtures where I can control color and intensity and simulate dusk and dawn. Lots of heat eliminated; I used to require a chiller but no longer.

[hkgar]

Originally Posted by Sk8r

Definitely. If I do go to LEDs it will not be FOR the clouds, but a question of cost and efficacy re coral care. My really old MH unit is a power hog and takes 100.00 worth of bulbs every 8 months. But it's paid for.

Not counting going from AI Sol Blue, to Vega, to Hydra and finally Hydra52, I thought I could get along with 3 Hydra 52 over a 180 gallon. Ended up with 5 and the cost of those 5 was $2745, maybe even more as I think the first 3 were bought at a higher cost.

Anyway that is a heck of a lot of MH bulbs.

Oh and lower power consumption, not all it is cracked up to be. 5 Hydra 52 will draw 675 Watts at full strength. My 3 MH 750, not much change. Before someone yells too load, I know virtually no one runs them at 100% on all light channels.