Metal Halide Concerns: 150w vs. 250w

sjj80 · 01/02/2010, 12:25 AM

ok i'm about to upgrade my lighting, i originally was going to go all t5 but have decided i just can't live without the shimmer effect of mh. obviously with mh there is a better chance of heat issues and a larger electric bill, i'm going retrofit in my canopy and i wonder if i could get away with 150w x 2 with 2-4 t5s. i eventually want sps and they would be placed within 18" under the lights. would this give me proper lighting with less heat and cost or do you reccomend something different.

Thanks in advance.

SKCMO Reefer · 01/02/2010, 12:26 AM

I would go with 250w just in case you ever upgrade.

sjj80 · 01/02/2010, 01:18 AM

i'm basically looking for the most economical way to create a shimmer/shadowing effect......but still have good lighting for sps.

Deep Thief · 01/02/2010, 01:22 AM

SPS under 150w MH's, sure, why not. Just place them high on the reef. JMO, YMMV, Mark

woowoodengy · 01/02/2010, 01:57 AM

for better growth and better color use the 250's
i was planning to do 3 X 150's 4 X t5's and led's in a custom built canopy but may do 2 X 250's with t5's and led's for better growth and since i have 30h tank

sjj80 · 01/02/2010, 02:46 AM

I just looked at several vids on youtube with different light setups and i really like the look of 250w 14k phoenix bulbs w/o actinic supp. I may just do that, i'm just scared of my elec. bill running 500w for at least 8 hrs a day......

I'm also considering led lunar light tubes instead of modules, anyone use these?

cindre2000 · 01/02/2010, 07:45 AM

150w is plenty for sps. But if you want to grow them on the sand you will need 250w. Also, there is a 150w version of 14K pheonix.

You might also consider LED's if you are a DIYer.

sjj80 · 01/02/2010, 01:38 PM

would 150w be ok without t5 supp?

also which is better se, de, hqi????

tgray3 · 01/02/2010, 01:43 PM

If you run 4 T5's with 2 150MH your electricity cost will be basically the same as with 2x250 MH and no T5's. Watts are Watts weather their T5 or MH.

01/02/2010, 12:25 AM	#1
sjj80 Hater of Hair Algae Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 1,098	Metal Halide Concerns: 150w vs. 250w ok i'm about to upgrade my lighting, i originally was going to go all t5 but have decided i just can't live without the shimmer effect of mh. obviously with mh there is a better chance of heat issues and a larger electric bill, i'm going retrofit in my canopy and i wonder if i could get away with 150w x 2 with 2-4 t5s. i eventually want sps and they would be placed within 18" under the lights. would this give me proper lighting with less heat and cost or do you reccomend something different. Thanks in advance. __________________ 90g, two Korallia 4s, EuroReef RS135 skimmer, trying to upgrade my lighting. Current Tank Info: 90g under rehab!

01/02/2010, 01:18 AM	#3
sjj80 Hater of Hair Algae Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 1,098	i'm basically looking for the most economical way to create a shimmer/shadowing effect......but still have good lighting for sps. __________________ 90g, two Korallia 4s, EuroReef RS135 skimmer, trying to upgrade my lighting. Current Tank Info: 90g under rehab!

01/02/2010, 01:57 AM	#5
woowoodengy Upgrading my 20gal Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago/Glenview Posts: 1,230	for better growth and better color use the 250's i was planning to do 3 X 150's 4 X t5's and led's in a custom built canopy but may do 2 X 250's with t5's and led's for better growth and since i have 30h tank __________________ Twitter is my personal customized news feed. It only tells me what I want to hear. Current Tank Info: never big enough

01/02/2010, 02:46 AM	#6
sjj80 Hater of Hair Algae Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 1,098	I just looked at several vids on youtube with different light setups and i really like the look of 250w 14k phoenix bulbs w/o actinic supp. I may just do that, i'm just scared of my elec. bill running 500w for at least 8 hrs a day...... I'm also considering led lunar light tubes instead of modules, anyone use these? __________________ 90g, two Korallia 4s, EuroReef RS135 skimmer, trying to upgrade my lighting. Current Tank Info: 90g under rehab!

01/02/2010, 01:38 PM	#8
sjj80 Hater of Hair Algae Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 1,098	would 150w be ok without t5 supp? also which is better se, de, hqi???? __________________ 90g, two Korallia 4s, EuroReef RS135 skimmer, trying to upgrade my lighting. Current Tank Info: 90g under rehab!

01/02/2010, 12:26 AM	#2
SKCMO Reefer Moved On Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MO Posts: 3	I would go with 250w just in case you ever upgrade.

01/02/2010, 01:22 AM	#4
Deep Thief Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mortons Gap, KY Posts: 130	SPS under 150w MH's, sure, why not. Just place them high on the reef. JMO, YMMV, Mark

01/02/2010, 07:45 AM	#7
cindre2000 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 230	150w is plenty for sps. But if you want to grow them on the sand you will need 250w. Also, there is a 150w version of 14K pheonix. You might also consider LED's if you are a DIYer.

01/02/2010, 01:43 PM	#9
tgray3 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 258	If you run 4 T5's with 2 150MH your electricity cost will be basically the same as with 2x250 MH and no T5's. Watts are Watts weather their T5 or MH.