Metal Halide

[gothicgirl]

I want to do a blog article on metal halide lighting, but I've never had them before, so I don't feel like I'm personally credible. I want to get a bunch of people's contrasting opinions on them here and then put them in the article. Thank you so much!

URL=http://www.oceanadvocates.blogspot.com]If you want to see the blog, here it is[/URL]

So I've heard different things like...

-they can "burn" corals.

-they are considered "very intense" like they're good for sps but not so much for lps

-they get so hot they need to be a foot away from the water surface

-they are energy hogs

-you can use metal halides, and only metal halides for lighting

-they don't look as good as other lighting (colorwise for corals)

-they are rather expensive in general

So, discuss!! Thanks!!

[reefEng10]

Yes, so can any bulb... t5's can do this as well.
They are very intense, good for sps AND lps.. placement is an issue, just like t5's
6"-12" is fine, higher if used w/ good reflectors
yes, but don't use THAT much more than an equivalent t5 set up, half of dozen of one six of the other
no, lots of other alternatives
no, lots of great colour mh bulbs
somewhat expensive but not really much more so than other systems

[SnowManSnow]

ran MH 400w.. then 250s for years. Got rid of them. I went to T5 on my SPS stuff and never looked back. MUCH less heat.. great color.. and all that nifty stuff.

b

[SnowManSnow]

btw .. alll those statements in your origional post are true to some extent, but each has a + and - side.

b