seeking guidance from all the MH users out there
 

I'm looking for advice and some direction on choosing a metal halide set-up for my tank.

I have only ever used t5's and I have seen my fair share of leds from Vertex to AI. I have obviously never used MH and I am really wanting to try them on my new tank. I just don't know what would be my best options with MH's.

First I'll give some specs on my tank that is being built.

36"L x 24"W x 18"H Rimless

I plan on hanging whatever fixture I go with. I also wouldn't be apposed to building a small floating canopy to hide the reflector and or t5's.

Maybe MH might not be the best option for this tank but I have no idea so I'm hoping that some of you guys might be able to either point me in the right direction or help me move on to other options if MH's just don't suit the tank.
Also as a side note I plan on hanging the lights around 12" from the top of the water if I do go with MH.

Some of my questions are:

* which is the better choice HQI or Mogul?

* what size bulb/ballast? 250W?

* would it be better to try and find a fixture that MH/T5 combo or go with a floating canopy with a single pendant and a couple retro fit T5's?

* besides the buy/sell section (which is mostly flooded with leds) what would be some good places to source all the components or possible fixture?

Lets party like it's 1999 :mullet:

reefbrite hybrids!!!

:mrgreen:

Hey Denny,

Have you seen the reefbrite hybrids in person?

I have seen a couple pics online but couldn't find any Canadian sites with pricing or specs.

no i havent but will shortly as i think dave is going to try a few out at the shop:mrgreen::mrgreen:

in theory you cant go wrong but i would like to see them in person , if dave grabs some ill let you know how they look.


if you need or want a hybrid let me know as dave can get them in easily enough and i can find a price for you as well:)



cheers

denny

Very interested on seeing what you guys think of them. When you find out pm me the price please.

For a 36" tank, a single MH is pushing it unless you get a great reflector and hang it higher. 12" would be good, but at that height, I'd go 400w (personal taste). I'm currently building a floating canopy/light box that houses my gear, using a flat panel mount to "float" it.
Adding supplemental T5 would also work well.

We use ReefBrite Hybrids on our SPS coral bed and love them.

I would also recommend the 400w. Unfortunately, it won't spread the full 36". Even at 30" its pushing it.

if there is 1200w radium… you will probably use that too

Thanks for the input guys!

So besides going with a 400W what else would you guys suggest?
I'm completely ignorant to Halides.

Would you guys suggest using 2 pendant reflectors @ 250W each or would you still go with 2 @ 400W each?

Also is there any reflectors that you would suggest for me to try and find?
Any places you suggest I try and source everything?

Or perhaps a better question is;

"If you were to start from scratch with halides with a tank of my dimensions what would you personally go with?"

At 18" 2 x 250w is more than enough :)