compact fluorescent or MH?

mrbubbles · 01/02/2008, 02:11 PM

i was wondering if a 175watt w/14k bulb, metal halide, would be better than my 130w orbit compact fluorescent on my standard 29g. i am planning on upgradeing my lighting with a metal halide and didn't know if this would be much of an upgrade.

right now i have a some neon candy canes, frogspawn, gsp, zoos, rics, and xenia under the orbit. my bulbs need to be replaced and instead of replaceing them i want to upgrade to a MH.

mckeec · 01/02/2008, 02:17 PM

Do you want to upgrade because the corals you have currently are not doing well and you think this will help? I would think your current lighting would be fine for what you have. If you intent to get into the SPS then I would say upgrade, otherwise save your money. Just my opinion.

silvers · 01/02/2008, 02:19 PM

IMO a big step up you mau need to be carefull aclimating your coral. I was running a 175w 10k ushio on my 22g from the start then went to a 250w XM 20k becouse I had it laying around I did not have any ill effects probly becouse of the temp diffrence.

dsn112 · 01/02/2008, 02:21 PM

It all depends how your corals are doing, are they growing? How is the coloring.

I have a 4 bulb t5 unit on my 28g and love it. MH bulbs create alot more heat and use way more energy. I would think twice about just upgrading to upgrade.

warrenm107 · 01/02/2008, 03:31 PM

The metal halide lighting will be an improvment, I run 1 250 watt and 4 96 watt power compact light on a 125 gallon mixed reef. I put the more light hungry specimens under the halide.

01/02/2008, 02:11 PM	#1
mrbubbles Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: La Mesa,CA Posts: 26	compact fluorescent or MH? i was wondering if a 175watt w/14k bulb, metal halide, would be better than my 130w orbit compact fluorescent on my standard 29g. i am planning on upgradeing my lighting with a metal halide and didn't know if this would be much of an upgrade. right now i have a some neon candy canes, frogspawn, gsp, zoos, rics, and xenia under the orbit. my bulbs need to be replaced and instead of replaceing them i want to upgrade to a MH. __________________ MY BUBBLES

01/02/2008, 02:19 PM	#3
silvers Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ga Posts: 356	IMO a big step up you mau need to be carefull aclimating your coral. I was running a 175w 10k ushio on my 22g from the start then went to a 250w XM 20k becouse I had it laying around I did not have any ill effects probly becouse of the temp diffrence. __________________ Lord knows Im weak wont somebody get me off this reef-Sublime Current Tank Info: 120g

01/02/2008, 02:21 PM	#4
dsn112 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,139	It all depends how your corals are doing, are they growing? How is the coloring. I have a 4 bulb t5 unit on my 28g and love it. MH bulbs create alot more heat and use way more energy. I would think twice about just upgrading to upgrade. __________________ I'm disturbed! I'm depressed! I'm inadequate! I got it all!! Current Tank Info: Fluval Edge w LED freshwater. Looking at doing a 20-40g long penninsula fowlr soon

01/02/2008, 02:17 PM	#2
mckeec Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 302	Do you want to upgrade because the corals you have currently are not doing well and you think this will help? I would think your current lighting would be fine for what you have. If you intent to get into the SPS then I would say upgrade, otherwise save your money. Just my opinion.

01/02/2008, 03:31 PM	#5
warrenm107 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: California Posts: 62	The metal halide lighting will be an improvment, I run 1 250 watt and 4 96 watt power compact light on a 125 gallon mixed reef. I put the more light hungry specimens under the halide.