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should I go back to halides?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by dead fish, May 6, 2013.

  1. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    So now that I'm moving to a new tank, I'm rethinking. I still have 3 175 watt halides. I used a couple on my 75 before I went to the 180. Then I got AI Sol Blues. I have to admit, after running them for almost a year, I'm not in love. I've had some parameter issues, but the growth and color haven't blown me away. I kinda liked the halides better.

    Have 3 sols. I think I'll only need two on my new 125. I could sell one and convert the other two to Vegas. Or I could go back to halide. Thoughts?
     
  2. Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

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    jason I think there have been too many variables in with your system this past year to diagnose LED's as a source of your distaste for the growth and color of your corals. It will take a good 3-4 months of stability (and lowered nitrates) for corals to really recover and start doing what they are suppose to. Other factors come into play too. dKh is vitally important as well as ca/mg.

    The other thing to think about is spending 70 bucks per metal halide each year to replace a bulb. That's steep! I'm very pleased that my annual operating expenses have dropped by 2/3 since going to LEDs. Not to mention the electrical cost.

    Give it some time man!
     
  3. Big John

    Big John Inactive User

    966
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    Yeah what Andy said! But if you sell one of the AI's, look me up!!
     
  4. fishyness

    fishyness Inactive User

    596
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    I'm still full on halides.....It's going to take alot more to get me to switch to LED's....just my ho
     
  5. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Yeah, I hear you. I just haven't been able to find the right look for my AIs yet. Just haven't fallen in love with any of the combos I've tried yet. Maybe the full spectrum look of Vegas would do me better?

    Do you think I'd be all right with just 2 fixtures on a 48" tank?
     
  6. Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

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    I don't see why when all tangible and scientific evidence points to the fact that LEDs aren't just the more economic option but the also more efficient.
    I have a slide show with comparative graphs and 10 year analysis which clearly shows LEDs pay for themselves during the course of their lifetime.
    I understand that ponying up the cash up front is a little rough, but that's the hobby we all chose!
     
  7. Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

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    The uv, green, and red LEDs, while there is little concrete evidence that they're effective in actually stimulating chloroplasts, do reciprocate colors that are quite pleasing to the eye.
     
  8. fishyness

    fishyness Inactive User

    596
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    /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif No offense Andy!!! Its really a matter of personal preference. Just sayin I love the look of my halides !! Like you say, it's not a cheap hobby... Im not looking for something to pay for itself... I love my 400watt MH and I really don't see it on my electric bill../DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif peace....



     
  9. Lee

    Lee Experienced Reefkeeper

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    I'm all for metal halides, but I've seen how tall that tank is in person and I wouldn't put 175w halides over it even if using the highest par bulb (Iwaski 14k). Either put 400w halides on it or stick with the LED's.
     
  10. Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

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    Yah no offense taken, I just want every dot to be clear, there's no mystery about the effectiveness of LEDs. If you're talking about a matter of personal preference then by all means, draw your own conclusions.
    At midamerican's rate a 400 wart metal halide operated for 8 hrs a day costs 12$ a month!
     
  11. MXC207 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    634
    Cedar Rapids
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    Love the full spectrum on my vegas. Look so much more crisp and realistic. I do still love the sols too tho. I have 4 sols and 3 vegas i aint never going back haha!
     
  12. jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

    Toledo Iowa
    Ratings:
    +40 / 1 / -0
    I have 4 ais on my 125 and am not sold on them and I've had them 18 months. It's gotten better just not what I expected. I think I like the mh with t5s better. The growth was better. The omly reason I haven't switched is I'm gone alot of times for a week and I trust the leds while I'm gone but I don't have the trust for mhs. I live in the country bfe so I don't have someone knowledgeable around to help.
     
  13. Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

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    spurrious conclusion! (either way) lol I'm hopelessly objective!



     
  14. jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

    Toledo Iowa
    Ratings:
    +40 / 1 / -0
    I still have them I guess after 18 months,,,Maybe too lazy to change but pros outweighed cons I guess, The hardest part is figuring out how much light to power upto.
     
  15. Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

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    use a PAR meter and find light with comparable PAR.
     
  16. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    Coloration of certain corals under just AI sol blues alone are lacking. I added T5s to mine, and got good results. I would rather have a full spectrum fixture, but not sure if I want to pony up the dough to switch to Vegas. I originally made my light mount to hold a couple of metal halide reflectors between the rows of AIs. I may just try it out sometime and see how it looks.
    There is a reason all the manufacturers are going to a mix of colored LEDs. Getting the full spectrum lighting just makes the corals look better. Its what the consumer wants, its what they will give us.
     
  17. PatrickWest

    PatrickWest

    203
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    I love my LED’s (Evo150) but a few weeks ago I got a wild hair and decided to put a
    Coralife Aqualight 250w MH over my 45 cube.
    My tank sprang to life right before my eyes. After running LED’s over this tank for about 2 years I have never seen polyp extension like this before.
    I did get good growth and coloration with my LED’s but I’m excited to see what will happen in the next 6 months under my MH.

    Each light has its pros and cons.

    old light- http://reefkoi.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20&products_id=3776

    New light- http://www.petmountain.com/product/aquarium-metal-halide-light-fixtures/11442-526813/coralife-aqualight-advanced-series-pendant-hqi-lamp.html?utm_source=googleproductads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term={keyword}&gclid=CIGig_3VybgCFa87MgodqSIABQ
     
  18. walker1

    walker1 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    428
    Ratings:
    +28 / 1 / -0
    I have the new AI Hydras I can't believe the difference in only a few days corals and clams never looked better I also had sol blues and had great luck with them also but nothing compared to my Hydras. I would look into them before going back to MH.
     
  19. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0



    Great to hear from someone with the hydras. I have really been thinking about upgrading my Sols, and I am thinking Hydra is the way to go.



     
  20. walker1

    walker1 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    428
    Ratings:
    +28 / 1 / -0
    I really like them so far I don't think you can go wrong.
     

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