Which would you choose for actinic supplementation to metal halides? Take my poll!

[Mr. Brooks]

I've been using actinic VHO's with my 400 watt Radium metal halides and I couldn't be happier. I'm getting ready to build a new light fixture with 250 watt Raduims. I was wondering if I should try something new or stick with what works. If I were to go with LED supplementation what would you suggest?

[RubberFrog]

I run ATI purple plus t5s with my 250w radiums.

[csmfish]

I would think VHO just for the fact you get more light out of one tube, which is good due to space being limited, but, I have no real world experience so I am not allowed to vote. :(

[Thatgrimguy]

The vho true actinic is tough to compete with when it comes to visual spectrum. Royal blue leds would be the next choice for that deep blue. They would add actual par as well.

Imho, t5 doesn't make a deep 445nm or lower competitor that's worth messing with.

Sent using tapatalk! Grammar and spelling should be forgiven!

[jc-reef]

^^^^^ +1. I have both T5 & LED and the LED blues will give your corals that insane POP you are looking for.

[ridetheducati]

I would have selected "none" if the option was available.

[JRoweNole]

I ran VHO actinics with my 250W 14K MH for 10 years and loved them.

Within the last year I converted to Reefbrite blue LED's with my MH (92 gallon corner tank) and love this combination, too. Noticeably less heat now which is great in warmer weather conditions.

[Mr. Brooks]

Thanks guys!

I'm going to run 5 - 250 watt radiums over my 96" x 30" x 24" SPS reef tank. I'm leaning toward 2 - 48" blue reef brites. Is the intensity on the reef brites controllable? Should I go for the standard or the XHO version? I don't want the halides to overpower the LED's and vice versa.

[JRoweNole]

I have the "standard" reefbrites and they are still pretty intense. If you are really looking for a lot more PAR in addition to your MH's you may want to consider the XHO's. Check out the good information on these on Premium Aquatics post on the Reef Central Online Community page.

I am not sure if you can purchase a dimmable switch but Jeremy at Premium Aquatics can help you.

[johnv]

I have the "standard" reefbrites and they are still pretty intense. If you are really looking for a lot more PAR in addition to your MH's you may want to consider the XHO's. Check out the good information on these on Premium Aquatics post on the Reef Central Online Community page.

I am not sure if you can purchase a dimmable switch but Jeremy at Premium Aquatics can help you.

Reebright still has not released a dimable controller,i just talked with joyce a few weeks ago.she said it was coming but a little ways off.

I vote for the leds also,i would either run two 50/50 or one white and one blue.i just tried this and the look was great.i to run vho and halides.i was lucky enough that my local fish store carries these,he let me take them home to see if i would want to switch.i had just replaced vho bulbs a few weeks before,once they need change again i will be installing two 50/50 reefbrights.

John

[antbreon]

i have t5 and and a 14k 250w mh am adding led with a dimmable driver..for pop and color control..

[Mr. Brooks]

Anyone else have experience with reef brites?

[quincy2008]

I currently run 3 400 watt radiums and a 72" xho reef brite on my 300 gallon reef. The LED supplement is great. The corals have never looked better.

[Mr. Brooks]

Awesome, that's the kind of review I like to hear. Are you using the original Reef Brite or the XHO version? If you're using the originals with 400 watt Radiums then I'm sure they would cut through 250's. XHO may be overkill huh.

[Jeremy B.]

VHO super actinic every single time, and I never look back. :)