Looking to add MH lights to my current setup. looking for advise with 2 radion pros

quackiedodle · 03/12/2014, 11:26 PM

Hey guys. just some quick info on my current set up as i have not posted a build thread yet. i have a 150 gal 48x30x24 tank with mostly sps and clams. my addiction is currently lit by 2 Radion pro's (gen 2). this tank has been running for 6 months now but i took a majority of LR from a tank i had running for 2 years. originally i loved the lights as they are very sleek and look good without a canopy. Im starting to notice it is hard to grow corals under shady spots with LED lights, where it was much easier to with MH lighting. the undersides of my corals dont have the same colors ive seen with MH/T5 combos either. its almost as if the MH light reflects off the sand bed. im contemplating adding MH to my system or switching to a MH/T5 combo. ideally i would like to go MH and keep my Radions, but im worried this would be overkill. im looking to get your opinions on this subject (adding a MH to my system and not the whole MH/LED debate). if i keep the radions what level would you run the lights at? i already run my lights at 30%. would you just turn the white lights off and use the blue/purple/uv? Im also looking on suggestions on sleek looking MH fixtures. any advise is much appreciated.

moondoggy4 · 03/12/2014, 11:45 PM

Instead of going MH how bout going T-5's that would be a great mix Led/T-5. Can you do a canopy?

quackiedodle · 03/12/2014, 11:53 PM

Thanks for the reply Moondoggy. i havnt thought of that but it is a great suggestion. would you just do a DIY T5 addition? i could add a canopy but like the open look without the canopy. will have to look into possibly having a hanging fixture with t5's and radions vs the full canopy. the canopy could still b an option though. also which T5's would you go with color wise? white lights or???

ssdawood · 03/13/2014, 05:57 AM

Do a floating canopy and retrofit T5s. Leds and t5s are great. MH and leds are overkill. MH and T5s are also great.

Dont overthink any one of these options is great.

03/12/2014, 11:26 PM	#1
quackiedodle Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 22	Looking to add MH lights to my current setup. looking for advise with 2 radion pros Hey guys. just some quick info on my current set up as i have not posted a build thread yet. i have a 150 gal 48x30x24 tank with mostly sps and clams. my addiction is currently lit by 2 Radion pro's (gen 2). this tank has been running for 6 months now but i took a majority of LR from a tank i had running for 2 years. originally i loved the lights as they are very sleek and look good without a canopy. Im starting to notice it is hard to grow corals under shady spots with LED lights, where it was much easier to with MH lighting. the undersides of my corals dont have the same colors ive seen with MH/T5 combos either. its almost as if the MH light reflects off the sand bed. im contemplating adding MH to my system or switching to a MH/T5 combo. ideally i would like to go MH and keep my Radions, but im worried this would be overkill. im looking to get your opinions on this subject (adding a MH to my system and not the whole MH/LED debate). if i keep the radions what level would you run the lights at? i already run my lights at 30%. would you just turn the white lights off and use the blue/purple/uv? Im also looking on suggestions on sleek looking MH fixtures. any advise is much appreciated.

03/13/2014, 05:57 AM	#4
ssdawood Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Wappingers Falls Posts: 324	Do a floating canopy and retrofit T5s. Leds and t5s are great. MH and leds are overkill. MH and T5s are also great. Dont overthink any one of these options is great. __________________ Elos 120, ATI Led Powermodule , Hopefully SPS dominated reef

03/12/2014, 11:45 PM	#2
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Instead of going MH how bout going T-5's that would be a great mix Led/T-5. Can you do a canopy?

03/12/2014, 11:53 PM	#3
quackiedodle Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 22	Thanks for the reply Moondoggy. i havnt thought of that but it is a great suggestion. would you just do a DIY T5 addition? i could add a canopy but like the open look without the canopy. will have to look into possibly having a hanging fixture with t5's and radions vs the full canopy. the canopy could still b an option though. also which T5's would you go with color wise? white lights or???