Lighting help needed

Bigfootmchinist · 04/09/2015, 07:48 PM

I'm looking for a good idea for lighting on my 125. Still in setup but looking to make a big reef without restrictions of corals later on. It's looking like I may want to go metal halide, but heard that they have a risk of explosion. Is that normal? Also heard led isn't that great after a year due to coral loss because the synthetic lighting. What is going to be my best way to go?

tkeracer619 · 04/09/2015, 11:31 PM

Halides only break when fish splash the bulbs. It isn't really a big deal and I have only seen it a few times. We added glass to the reflectors and all was fine.

2 of these guys would be awesome... no games with this setup.
http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/it...0-Ballast-2006

Bigfootmchinist · 04/11/2015, 07:31 AM

On eBay I found a 6ft light, has 3 250watt hqi metal halides, 4 80watt t5 HO actinic bulbs, and 6 dual blue LEDs. I'm putting in an offer for that.

Bpb · 04/11/2015, 01:21 PM

http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/it...ng-System-2214

This system with giesemann true actinic t5 bulbs and radiums for the mh. It's not cheap but you will never have to question whether your lights are adequate. With the 6 foot version you could easily cover your tank top to bottom end to end in clams and acropora. I wish I had purchased this light to start.

04/09/2015, 07:48 PM	#1
Bigfootmchinist Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Richfield MN Posts: 9	Lighting help needed I'm looking for a good idea for lighting on my 125. Still in setup but looking to make a big reef without restrictions of corals later on. It's looking like I may want to go metal halide, but heard that they have a risk of explosion. Is that normal? Also heard led isn't that great after a year due to coral loss because the synthetic lighting. What is going to be my best way to go?

04/09/2015, 11:31 PM	#2
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Halides only break when fish splash the bulbs. It isn't really a big deal and I have only seen it a few times. We added glass to the reflectors and all was fine. 2 of these guys would be awesome... no games with this setup. http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/it...0-Ballast-2006 __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

04/11/2015, 07:31 AM	#3
Bigfootmchinist Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Richfield MN Posts: 9	On eBay I found a 6ft light, has 3 250watt hqi metal halides, 4 80watt t5 HO actinic bulbs, and 6 dual blue LEDs. I'm putting in an offer for that.

04/11/2015, 01:21 PM	#4
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/it...ng-System-2214 This system with giesemann true actinic t5 bulbs and radiums for the mh. It's not cheap but you will never have to question whether your lights are adequate. With the 6 foot version you could easily cover your tank top to bottom end to end in clams and acropora. I wish I had purchased this light to start.