Metal Halides.. How much is enough?

[Morgadeth]

Quick question (maybe)

I recently modified my custom hood, replacing the acrylic top with some really nice tempered glass. I'm trying to maximize the light efficiency generated by my 48" Cloralife PC fixture.

I'd like to add some hetal halide lighting without losing my practically new coralife fixture.. Problem is, I don't have the width on my hood to accomodate two lighting systems. (standard 55 gallon tank)

I was looking at some of the MH clip on, swing arm style lights on drsfosterandsmith.com and they semed like a plausible solution.

The big question is:
How do dimensions come into play with MH lights? I've seen some pretty big tanks with quite small setups that housed some beautiful corals. I'm wondering, is there a standard rule on lighting dimentions, or would I be good with one of the swingarm setups?


I just got promoted (I'm in the Army) so I'll be getting some nice extra money on the first of January..
After seeing the aquarium at my wife's dentist's office, I got jealous..

[Morgadeth]

Here's a blurry pic from the office..
It was very nice!

They've got the same coralife fixture I have, but they also have a MH in front of it.. It's probably less than half the length of the PC light, and everything in the tank is VERY healthy

[Grins]

A MH covers 2' of tank lenth.

[Subliminal]

If'n I were you I'd throw that baby in the classified section on about 4 or 5 different forums (as well as craigslist) and sell it to pay for some of your Metal Halide setup.

But, I'm not...so it's just a suggestion. ;)

[Morgadeth]

I might sell it to cut cost on a second MH light; That's a possibility. I will eventually get another tank; probably during the time of my next move (whenever that may be) and I don't want to base my purchase on the light I have. With a couple of those nice clip on lights (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+15489&pcatid=15489) I can get pretty much anything I want for size and dimensions..

Thanks for the standard on MH lighting, Grins. I figured you'd be in to comment on this one!

[Subliminal]

I feel like I'm beating a dead horse when I say this but...

The major downfall for the PC setup is the bulbs only last ~6 months before they start to change freq. After that, algae blooms, suffering corals, etc, can start...

So, in 6 months you might have to replace bulbs that cost as much as the initial unit purchase. And then 6 months later, you're doing it again...

So, from a sales perspective, if you've used the hood for more than 3 or 4 months, selling it for even a large percentage of the initial cost could be difficult.

And if you do a little DIY, you can just buy some ballasts and reflectors for a metal halide setup, and then build a new hood for whatever you might get down the road.

Not trying to talk you into it...just trying to 'arm you with info'. ;)

[Morgadeth]

I definitely see your point..
Once I get enough metal halides to support the tank by themselves, I'll certainly stop using the PC.. However, in the meantime, I still need to support what I have with what I have for lighting.
By the "2' of tank per light" guidance, I cannot afford to purchase 2 MH's simultaneously. So, I buy one, then sell the PC to cut cost on the second one once I have the first light installed. I'm sure everything will be fine for the short time between shipping out and receiving the two lights (PC out, MH in)

I get where you're coming from with the cost of bulbs. 6 months really isn't that long for bulb life. I'm assuming MH bulbs last longer? They are remarkably more exspensive than PC's...

[Sploke]

I'm not seeing where the huge savings are, unless you have a source to get super-cheap MH bulbs.

I have 4x55w PC. At AH Supply, these are $18 each. If I replace all 4 of them twice a year, thats 8 bulbs total. 8x18=$144 bucks, with 220W of total light.

Say I switched to a 2x175W MH system, plus a 110W T5HO actinic, and I replace the bulbs once a year. The T5 is $24 at Marine Depot, and a middle-of-the-road MH bulb is about $60. So, thats 2x$60 plus $24...the same $144 bucks.

Now, granted with the more powerful MH light you open yourself up to a lot more options i.e. SPS, clams, anemones, and everyone I've read about that switched from PC to MH absolutely loved the additional light. But, part of the reason I went with PC is to try and save on power consumption, so it works out. But based on a pure cost analysis, I'm not seeing the big gap.

[Subliminal]

Well, that's really the point. I was going to go in and compare shipping prices and bulb prices and talk about how actinic support is unnecessary when you use a higher freq bulb, but all that is moot really when you consider the output of the bulbs and the creatures you can keep in your tank and the annoyance of ordering bulbs twice as often.

You're right though, that's not much savings.

[Morgadeth]

So, ultimately, it really boils down to personal preference..

What do I want in the tank?


That's simple:
The beautiful stuff!!

Most of the extraordinary species are light dependent, and I'm getting more hooked on corals the more I see them. I want the huge mushrooms, and impressive colors.

I can't get that with PC lighting.

So, I need two MH lights to illuminate my tank, and I won't need actinics for anything other than personal preference. Sounds like I can sell my PC, or turn my 55 into a GINORMOUS refugium after I upgrade my tank!!

Then, I'd still have a use for my PC!!

[strangerdejavu]

I'm looking into MH lights myself... What bulbs do y'all like on your tanks? Personally, I'm looking at a couple of 250w HQI lamps for my 75g, but I'm open to others too.

[Morgadeth]

I just "remodeled" the landscape in my tank.. I wanted to get more light to my leather coral to try and get him a little more active (well, as active as they get, anyway)

Here's some pics..
Any ideas on the coral? He just got moved last night, but this is how he generally looks.. His color is a little better today, and he frequently moves his "head" around.. I just wanna make sure he's gonna make it..