Thinking About Changing to MH: What do you think?

Kdocimo90 · 04/23/2009, 12:06 AM

As of right now I have a 14 lamp- 72" constellation T-5 set up. My tank is LPS/Softy Dominated, and I will probably stick with it. The reason why I am considering going to MH is because of the shimmer effect. I just cant get over it. LEDs also produce this kind of shimmer as well.

There is a good DIY LED fixture build on RC that would help

What do you think I should do?

Kdocimo90 · 04/23/2009, 12:08 AM

Oh yeah, and If I were to sell my Fixture, I could probably replace it with MHs for about the same cost. The DIY led would be probably around 1/2 the price to build

PRDubois · 04/23/2009, 12:11 AM

Just add a few LED's for the shimmer

Kdocimo90 · 04/23/2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PRDubois
Just add a few LED's for the shimmer

Well what do you mean? LEDs+T-5's dont really create a shimmer. Right now I have 6 LEDs for moon lights, and if they're run at the same time I see no shimmer.

PRDubois · 04/23/2009, 12:17 AM

But the moonlights are blue. Get one of those new White LED light bulbs from Lowes and see if it shimmers. I have not tried it, but I think the white would shimmer.

Kdocimo90 · 04/23/2009, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PRDubois
But the moonlights are blue. Get one of those new White LED light bulbs from Lowes and see if it shimmers. I have not tried it, but I think the white would shimmer.

Hmm.. If i could keep the T-5's and create a shimmer with extra LEDs that would be great... I didnt think it could be done...

Could you be more specific on the new LED light at lowes? perhaps a link? I searched LED at lowes.com and there are like 17 pages lol

PRDubois · 04/23/2009, 12:36 AM

To test, I would try something like this:

I know they have at walmart and sams club, should have at lowes.
If it adds the shimmer you want then add a few in your hood or add a led strip.

Kdocimo90 · 04/23/2009, 12:42 AM

ok thanks... I will also post a thread asking if anyone has tried this before.

PRDubois · 04/23/2009, 12:48 AM

They also have the little round LED accent lighting but most of those run on battery. You would have to convert them to use a power adaptor.

abulgin · 04/23/2009, 05:45 AM

I would definitely keep what you got. A shimmer effect, alone, is hardly a reason to ditch a decent fixture that is perfect for what you intent to keep, unless you have oodles of cash and don't care. Personally, I would rather put the money towards oher equipment, a vacation, my wife, shirts.

Kdocimo90 · 04/23/2009, 09:24 AM

wow this loks like a close game between keeping them and selling for MHs.

o.O

shaginwagon13 · 04/23/2009, 10:15 AM

Its a personal preference thing really. Everything you want in a reef can survive with both but with Halides you get a special 'glitter' in the water and its just amazing. You cant get that look with anything other then Halides so as a personal preference I would never get anything different.

Fizz71 · 04/23/2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by abulgin
I would definitely keep what you got. A shimmer effect, alone, is hardly a reason to ditch a decent fixture that is perfect for what you intent to keep, unless you have oodles of cash and don't care. Personally, I would rather put the money towards oher equipment, a vacation, my wife, shirts.

+1 on that! I was going to say the same thing.

Shimmer effect is for you, if your corals are happy with T5s then keep what you have and get your shimmer another way.

You could by MHs, then realize the heat increase means you need to buy a chiller! It's not worth it! ..unless your corals need more.

KayHouse · 04/23/2009, 10:59 AM

i say keep the T5's and find another way to make it shimmer... i know a guy that used some sort of a spot light thing with 75w mh bulbs and mini ballasts for shimmer. cost him like 40 bucks. he kept his t5's for light but had the MH for shimmer, they didn' do anyting to help the tank light wise, just gave a little bit of that MH shimmer you want. try something like that. way easier and convienent that changing your setup around

Kdocimo90 · 04/23/2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KayHouse
i say keep the T5's and find another way to make it shimmer... i know a guy that used some sort of a spot light thing with 75w mh bulbs and mini ballasts for shimmer. cost him like 40 bucks. he kept his t5's for light but had the MH for shimmer, they didn' do anyting to help the tank light wise, just gave a little bit of that MH shimmer you want. try something like that. way easier and convienent that changing your setup around

Thanks for the info... would you happen to know the tank size? I have a 210 gallon tank so i dont know if 1 75w MH will do the job

KayHouse · 04/23/2009, 11:38 AM

he used 2 (1 on each end) for a 75g... but with a 210 you could just use 4-6 i would think. and just space them out so that the shimmer effect is evenly distributed. so total would only be like $100 or so, depending oh how cheap you found the stuff

KarlBob · 04/23/2009, 02:06 PM

I don't know how much they cost, but these are meant to give you a metal halide style shimmer without scrapping your current setup.

Prices are here, or at least the prices that Drs. Foster & Smith charges.

Kdocimo90 · 04/24/2009, 01:05 PM

Interesting.. I'll have to research both ideas... THanks kay and karl!

Kdocimo90 · 04/30/2009, 12:51 PM

bump. any other opinions?
Supplementing LEDs for a shimmer effect isnt really working out. I've been looking around everywhere and it either would cost at least 300$, or the LEDs wouldnt be bright enough.

Another thing I like about MH's are that they make the colors of corals POP.
If I go with MH's will I NEED a chiller? Our house has central air, and I have temp control with heaters.

Fizz71 · 04/30/2009, 01:32 PM

A chiller is always a potential risk. For my current setup that is running, but not at full swing, I'm looking at using 3 CoralVue LumenBrights so I can mount them high to reduce heat and the hood can be vented to the outside if I needed. The sump is in the basement for a chiller JUST IN CASE.

Chiller needed or not will depend on the mh wattage, bulb height off water, hood design and ambient room temperature.

Kdocimo90 · 04/30/2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fizz71
A chiller is always a potential risk. For my current setup that is running, but not at full swing, I'm looking at using 3 CoralVue LumenBrights so I can mount them high to reduce heat and the hood can be vented to the outside if I needed. The sump is in the basement for a chiller JUST IN CASE.

Chiller needed or not will depend on the mh wattage, bulb height off water, hood design and ambient room temperature.

Well the good thing is that my canopy has an opened back. So in any case of the water getting too hot I could just put some fans in the back of the tank.

Here is a picture of my canopy.
Also, if I were to switch to MH, I'm not sure whether I would go with pendants or a MH/T5/Moonlight Fixture.

Kdocimo90 · 04/30/2009, 10:05 PM

kabump

jbird69 · 04/30/2009, 10:24 PM

you can get the shimmer by getting a lot of surface agitation. You may not get the shafts of light, but you will get the dancing light on your reef. My tank shimmers quite a bit with just the suppliments running...of coarse when that radium bulb kicks in, its like "Oh yeah!)

Kdocimo90 · 04/30/2009, 10:49 PM

Well my setup has a decent amount of flow.. I have 2 Mag 12s for returns and 2 modded koralia 4's (at least 2500gph each)

I have a LOT of surface flow, but the only shimmer I get is at the top 2 inches of the tank on the back.

Its not just the shimmer that I really am wanting, it is the coloration "pop" that MH's bring.

Also, If I WERE to switch to MH, what would you recommend? A fixture? Pendants? Also, what wattage. Im thinking a fixture with 3 250watt bulbs (being that my tank has lps/softies only).

Thanks for the input!

Galantra · 05/01/2009, 12:52 AM

There are some Leds out there that will give you that shimmering effect and also a LED Super Actinic that will make the colors pop .just have to know what brand actually gives off the brightest light your tank needs. I am actually doing the same with my 300 and i will be running 10 t5's in my tank that are 6ft long.
here is a company that i seen there stuff:
http://aquaprobuilder.sunsun-usa.com...s.php?album=10

View Poll Results: What Should I Do?
Sell T-5s ---- Buy MHs	19	39.58%
Sell T-5s ---- DIY LED Fixture	3	6.25%
Keep T-5s	26	54.17%
Voters: 48. You may not vote on this poll

04/23/2009, 12:06 AM	#1
Kdocimo90 Superior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 6,175	Thinking About Changing to MH: What do you think? As of right now I have a 14 lamp- 72" constellation T-5 set up. My tank is LPS/Softy Dominated, and I will probably stick with it. The reason why I am considering going to MH is because of the shimmer effect. I just cant get over it. LEDs also produce this kind of shimmer as well. There is a good DIY LED fixture build on RC that would help What do you think I should do? __________________ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) VISIT MY HOME PAGE (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) TO SEE MY 210G TANK (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ -Kevin Current Tank Info: 210 Gallon Softy/LPS Reef Tank

04/23/2009, 12:08 AM	#2
Kdocimo90 Superior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 6,175	Oh yeah, and If I were to sell my Fixture, I could probably replace it with MHs for about the same cost. The DIY led would be probably around 1/2 the price to build __________________ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) VISIT MY HOME PAGE (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) TO SEE MY 210G TANK (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ -Kevin Current Tank Info: 210 Gallon Softy/LPS Reef Tank

04/23/2009, 12:11 AM	#3
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	Just add a few LED's for the shimmer __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

04/23/2009, 12:17 AM	#5
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	But the moonlights are blue. Get one of those new White LED light bulbs from Lowes and see if it shimmers. I have not tried it, but I think the white would shimmer. __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

04/23/2009, 12:36 AM	#7
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	To test, I would try something like this: I know they have at walmart and sams club, should have at lowes. If it adds the shimmer you want then add a few in your hood or add a led strip. __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

04/23/2009, 12:42 AM	#8
Kdocimo90 Superior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 6,175	ok thanks... I will also post a thread asking if anyone has tried this before. __________________ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) VISIT MY HOME PAGE (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) TO SEE MY 210G TANK (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ -Kevin Current Tank Info: 210 Gallon Softy/LPS Reef Tank

04/23/2009, 12:48 AM	#9
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	They also have the little round LED accent lighting but most of those run on battery. You would have to convert them to use a power adaptor. __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

04/23/2009, 05:45 AM	#10
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	I would definitely keep what you got. A shimmer effect, alone, is hardly a reason to ditch a decent fixture that is perfect for what you intent to keep, unless you have oodles of cash and don't care. Personally, I would rather put the money towards oher equipment, a vacation, my wife, shirts.

04/23/2009, 09:24 AM	#11
Kdocimo90 Superior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 6,175	wow this loks like a close game between keeping them and selling for MHs. o.O __________________ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) VISIT MY HOME PAGE (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) TO SEE MY 210G TANK (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ -Kevin Current Tank Info: 210 Gallon Softy/LPS Reef Tank

04/23/2009, 10:15 AM	#12
shaginwagon13 Chartered Accountant Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,219	Its a personal preference thing really. Everything you want in a reef can survive with both but with Halides you get a special 'glitter' in the water and its just amazing. You cant get that look with anything other then Halides so as a personal preference I would never get anything different. __________________ - Shaginwagon - Current Tank Info: 550 Gallon SPS Reef l 200 Gallon Sump l Skimmer: Vertex Alpha 250 l Return Pump: Reeflo Hammerhead l Tank Circulation: (2) Maxspect Gyre XF280 l Lighting: (3) 400w Halides & (3) AI Hydra 52 HD

04/23/2009, 10:59 AM	#14
KayHouse Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Luis Obispo, CA Posts: 70	i say keep the T5's and find another way to make it shimmer... i know a guy that used some sort of a spot light thing with 75w mh bulbs and mini ballasts for shimmer. cost him like 40 bucks. he kept his t5's for light but had the MH for shimmer, they didn' do anyting to help the tank light wise, just gave a little bit of that MH shimmer you want. try something like that. way easier and convienent that changing your setup around __________________ Just missin the south side of the north shore... Current Tank Info: 65g hex reef

04/23/2009, 11:38 AM	#16
KayHouse Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Luis Obispo, CA Posts: 70	he used 2 (1 on each end) for a 75g... but with a 210 you could just use 4-6 i would think. and just space them out so that the shimmer effect is evenly distributed. so total would only be like $100 or so, depending oh how cheap you found the stuff __________________ Just missin the south side of the north shore... Current Tank Info: 65g hex reef

04/23/2009, 02:06 PM	#17
KarlBob Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Laveen, AZ Posts: 2,309	I don't know how much they cost, but these are meant to give you a metal halide style shimmer without scrapping your current setup. Prices are here, or at least the prices that Drs. Foster & Smith charges. __________________ Later, KarlBob Current Tank Info: No tanks for now. Starting over in Austin sometime next year.

04/24/2009, 01:05 PM	#18
Kdocimo90 Superior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 6,175	Interesting.. I'll have to research both ideas... THanks kay and karl! __________________ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) VISIT MY HOME PAGE (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) TO SEE MY 210G TANK (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ -Kevin Current Tank Info: 210 Gallon Softy/LPS Reef Tank

04/30/2009, 12:51 PM	#19
Kdocimo90 Superior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 6,175	bump. any other opinions? Supplementing LEDs for a shimmer effect isnt really working out. I've been looking around everywhere and it either would cost at least 300$, or the LEDs wouldnt be bright enough. Another thing I like about MH's are that they make the colors of corals POP. If I go with MH's will I NEED a chiller? Our house has central air, and I have temp control with heaters. __________________ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) VISIT MY HOME PAGE (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) TO SEE MY 210G TANK (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ -Kevin Current Tank Info: 210 Gallon Softy/LPS Reef Tank

04/30/2009, 01:32 PM	#20
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	A chiller is always a potential risk. For my current setup that is running, but not at full swing, I'm looking at using 3 CoralVue LumenBrights so I can mount them high to reduce heat and the hood can be vented to the outside if I needed. The sump is in the basement for a chiller JUST IN CASE. Chiller needed or not will depend on the mh wattage, bulb height off water, hood design and ambient room temperature. __________________ --Fizz Current Tank Info: Current system is 8x2x2 240g peninsula setup with a single "chamber" 100g sump in the basement with an RDSB. All corals are 100% home grown from frags of fellow reefers (low natural reef impact).

04/30/2009, 10:05 PM	#22
Kdocimo90 Superior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 6,175	kabump __________________ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) VISIT MY HOME PAGE (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) TO SEE MY 210G TANK (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ -Kevin Current Tank Info: 210 Gallon Softy/LPS Reef Tank

04/30/2009, 10:24 PM	#23
jbird69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The beautiful State of Jefferson Posts: 2,751	you can get the shimmer by getting a lot of surface agitation. You may not get the shafts of light, but you will get the dancing light on your reef. My tank shimmers quite a bit with just the suppliments running...of coarse when that radium bulb kicks in, its like "Oh yeah!) __________________ Broke Back Mountain is not a movie, its the pile of dead ninjas in Chuck Norris' back yard

04/30/2009, 10:49 PM	#24
Kdocimo90 Superior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 6,175	Well my setup has a decent amount of flow.. I have 2 Mag 12s for returns and 2 modded koralia 4's (at least 2500gph each) I have a LOT of surface flow, but the only shimmer I get is at the top 2 inches of the tank on the back. Its not just the shimmer that I really am wanting, it is the coloration "pop" that MH's bring. Also, If I WERE to switch to MH, what would you recommend? A fixture? Pendants? Also, what wattage. Im thinking a fixture with 3 250watt bulbs (being that my tank has lps/softies only). Thanks for the input! __________________ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) VISIT MY HOME PAGE (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) TO SEE MY 210G TANK (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ -Kevin Current Tank Info: 210 Gallon Softy/LPS Reef Tank

05/01/2009, 12:52 AM	#25
Galantra Giving my All Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 456	There are some Leds out there that will give you that shimmering effect and also a LED Super Actinic that will make the colors pop .just have to know what brand actually gives off the brightest light your tank needs. I am actually doing the same with my 300 and i will be running 10 t5's in my tank that are 6ft long. here is a company that i seen there stuff: http://aquaprobuilder.sunsun-usa.com...s.php?album=10 __________________ Ritch Current Tank Info: Working on a couple of things