Chalices- LEDs vs T5 vs Mh

[Reef or Die]

Hi
I am considering upgrading my lights and all I have ever owned are T5's which work great.
Looking to get into more SPS and I think my lights need some more pop!

I have recently been impressed by the growth ,shimmer and color that MH and LEDs can provide and have seen positive results with these fixtures on SPS but I am not sure how they do on CHALICES!

Being that I love chalices I would like to hear users opinions and possibly pics of colorful chalices under either MH or Led fixtures

From what I have been told LED or MH fixtures will wash out all of the color from my chalice collection even if I place them on the bottom of my 22 deep tank.

I am hoping someone will prove this theory wrong.

Thanks for checking this thread and I hope someone can show me first hand that chalices can be healthy and super colorful not under T5's only!
thanks

[victor escobar]

My experience is that chalices do not go well under normal leds. In particular, the red ones have problems and change colors fading very much and then they perish (after some months)

[Reef or Die]

That's what I figured. So it's safe to say that if you want to keep great colors on your chalices then LED's are not the right option.
Is this the case for the newer LED units that have red and green LEDs and a fuller spectrum?

I was also considering supplementing an led fixture with 2 T 5 bulbs( blue+) but I assume this wouldn't help much and the chalices would fade anyway.

[greech]

T5's as the main lighting with LED supplementation has work well for me.

[victor escobar]

Yes I also think T5 suplemented with leds is a good solution. The problem with leds is that they do not provide a full spectrum (the normal led fixtures) and T5 are fine as suplement or viceversa

[justclowning84]

i have the AI SOL SUPER BLUE. And i bet my chalice has amazing color. Look the bottom line is this people can say what they want most of it let it go out the other ear. Because if u dont u will u will go crazy :headwallblue: I understand everyone has a answer lol but if u ask 10 people the same thing u will get 10 diff answers. Thats just the way this hobby is. If u just watch your tank t will tell you anything u wanna know

[Reef or Die]

I am looking for "proof is in the pudding" shots. Can anyone show a pic of their chalice collection growing and holding great color under LEDS??
I know different things work for different people but I have not personally seen anyone with killer chalice color under LEDs.
I also want to know peoples experiences with chalices under MH?
Pictures are worth a thousand words.

Thanks guys!!

[mess7777]

Only one chalice here and no photo sorry...I bought it from a store using MH and it was kind of a gray/blue. I have had about a year now....it tripled in size at least, is now a vibrant blue with some reds and maybe a little orange. It looks great, and I have 3 year old LEDs only blue and white over it. It's not the nicest chalice or most colorful by any means....but I don't believe for a 2nd that a good LED system is incapable of growing and maintaining colorful chalices.

[usmc121581]

I love my 250W 20k's with PC actinics. The attached picture is of my bubble gum chalice under the 250W 20 K SE MH. this chalice was only 6' in lenght, and if I could lay it flat would be pushing 18" +.

[slojmn]

I have a lot of chalices in my tank but I run MH, T5's and LED's so maybe not a good representation. I only run blue LED ReefBrights as a sort of supplementation. My colors are super nice on all of my chalices from blues to purples to pinks to reds to rainbows :D

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg80/slojmn/SCDyanamiteFrag2-26-13sm_zpse4a49268.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg80/slojmn/MiamiHurricaneF1-26-13sm_zps14cf5645.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg80/slojmn/OregonMummyEye17-6-12sm.jpg

[Magical Reef]

Here are a few of mine under Radion LED's. They have brought out more color in my chalices

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

[Reef or Die]

Cool thanks guys. Looks like the radions do a good job at maintaining the color.
Slojmn- awesome pics. Your chalices definitely have the color and pop I am trying to maintain. Now you have me considering MH.
Decisions, decisions.

[Reef or Die]

Slojam- please post what bulbs you are running?

[slojmn]

I run a Giesemann Spectra fixture with 2 blue ReefBright LED's attached to each side for supplementation. The Spectra has a single 250w Reeflux 12k bulb with 4x24w T5's. I run the fixture over a 3x3 cube. I don't have any current pictures of my pink chalices but suffice to say my Bazooka Joe, Strawberry, and Vivid Chalices are super beautiful and bright.

[purplereef]

I run a Giesemann Spectra fixture with 2 blue ReefBright LED's attached to each side for supplementation. The Spectra has a single 250w Reeflux 12k bulb with 4x24w T5's. I run the fixture over a 3x3 cube. I don't have any current pictures of my pink chalices but suffice to say my Bazooka Joe, Strawberry, and Vivid Chalices are super beautiful and bright.

I am so glad your tank is doing great for you Alicia! By the way I am running exactly the same lighting as you, except for the MH. I am running 250W Radiums, Dan.

[Reef or Die]

Anyone else have chalice shots under LEDs??
Convince me that LEDs can keep chalices colorful and not wash out all the color
Looking to upgrade lights soon and before I pull the trigger I am hoping all you led users will chime in

[montiporalova]

I've had experience with all mention ligthing fixtures.
I've had diy led fixture with Cree LEDs not happy.
Metal halides I liked it but not enough pop and to much heat.
T5 love them I get pop no heat and it make my rimless look very clean.

[SantaMonica]

I'll be putting my chalices under 2 Ecoxotic Marine 48" LED's soon; transferring them from various depths of a 30 tall with 300 mh and 100 actinic. They grew at all levels in the tall. Also, the superman monti's liked it at the top under a mh bulb, and got really blue there.

[Overgrown]

Halides and/or T5's with supplemental LED for pop. Tried LED only, not convinced, and I think Vivids 800 gallon tank is one of the best comparison examples. The halide side has much richer coloring.

[Reef or Die]

I am considering the radion LEDs
Does Anyone else have good things to say about chalices under this fixture? Or provide pics as proof that they can keep chalices looking colorful over the long term and not fade them out.
As you can tell I am very concerned about switching to LEDs and looking for experienced led users input before I make the leap of faith.

[fishmanstan]

I run radions and they are spectacular. I have. A chalice, but its half dead because it was stung by a frogspawn for a day and died completely, but is recovering extremely fast. If it wasn't half dead st the moment I would post a pic, but the radions can easily support a chalice, and my tank is SPS dominated mixed reef and SPS color is insane.

[OzarksReef]

I think you'll find that many chalices are more sensitive to the light-shock that many experience when switching to LEDs from either halides or T5. I'm using the MaxSpect Razor over my system and found that both my favias and chalices took a hit initially from the increased PAR. They have been under the light for 8 months now and their color has come back fully. I moved them to shaded areas and if they're not in the shade, they're in indirect lighting (ie, not directly under the LED).

FWIW, I've been very impressed with the Razor and have a truly mixed reef. In our local club, we have a guy with the AI Sol blues over his 150 cube and he has spectacular results with chalices in the sandbed. He runs them at fairly low levels. I'm not a big fan of the SOLs, but his chalices look great. The Radions are really nice fixtures, but you'll need to go really slowly on ramping them up - they are PAR monsters.

I'll try to get some pics up from my system soon. Honestly, my experience is that you can keep any coral under LEDs with excellent results. There may be an initial negative reaction (as with any light change), but the corals will photo adapt. Finally, all LEDs are not created equal. Do your research and buy from a reputable manufacturer.

[bohannbj]

I have a blue chalice that is growing great with excellent colors. I only have LED's on my tanks. If anything the colors have gotten better. I'm out of town but I'll snap some shots for you when I get back. LED's are great because they pay for themselves in under 2 years through energy savings and bulb replacements.
Brent

[Reef or Die]

bump. any one else have some pics of their chalices under Metal halide or LED's.. looking to upgrade my lights to one of the 2 but i am doing my homework first! ;)

[mike nickerson]

I would just stick with t5 with a led stunner strip or 2 for shimmer. I ran 250w 20k radium's for 2 years and went back to T5 with ATI bulbs and couldn't be happier my chalice's, rainbow Acans are loving it and acros look better then ever. Just my 2 cents.

[terrypercula]

I have a few chalices under LED's and they're all doing great.

[Steveb]

Maybe someone here can help me...

I won a JF My Miami at an event a couple of months ago.

Its a 20h frag tank that has 2 AI sol Blues running over it.
SG 1.025, Alk 8.9, Ca 500, Mg 1450, NO3 0, PO4 0.02 all tests are salifert except phosphorus which is Hannu ULR.


I'm not sure what is causing it but I am greatly distressed that my 4 eye JF My Miami is turning into $5 green chalice frag...

Shortly after being placed in the tank sorry I know its not good quality but the green rim has already started to go. the eyes/mouths are still orange although you can't really tell in this picture.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/baringcs/20g%20tank/JFMyMiami3_zps828160d9.png

Everything has been fairly stable other than an incident with Kalk in ATO a little over a month ago...ATO dumped a bunch of Kalk rasing Ph to 9.5 before I caught it.

I don't know if its the AI Sol Blue's lack of spectrum, the intensity (15%W, 5% Blue, 65%RB) frags are actually under another frag rack with SPS growing, or just my luck...


Now... sigh.... $5 chalice...
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/baringcs/20g%20tank/IMG_3731_zpsbe431cc0.jpg


So my question is how do I get the correct colors back or is it even possible.

[usmc121581]

Do you dose strontium? Chalices need that as a supplement. Besides that I say its the lighting, but I am a MH with PC actinics.

[Reef or Die]

Any folks with great chalice color under 20k metal halide bulbs??

I recently read that the WWC tanks were having problems with their chalices under MH so they switched to t5/led.. I am now second guessing my new build where I planned on using a geisemann spectra 250 MH with 4 t5s.. Are there any tricks to chalice under MH or should I scrap my plan and go with the proven king of lights for chalices-T5...

Again pics help and make this thread more interesting. Thanks

[usmc121581]

Any folks with great chalice color under 20k metal halide bulbs??

I recently read that the WWC tanks were having problems with their chalices under MH so they switched to t5/led.. I am now second guessing my new build where I planned on using a geisemann spectra 250 MH with 4 t5s.. Are there any tricks to chalice under MH or should I scrap my plan and go with the proven king of lights for chalices-T5...

Again pics help and make this thread more interesting. Thanks

Once I get to work I will post the pics of my huge bubble gum chalice under 20k 250 mh. I have kept both of my chalices directly under MH with no issues.

nevermind I posted them here:


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=6878

[neverwouldof]

What is the highest and lowest par level people have success with chalices? MH or T5's

I have one chalice near sand bead that seems to have bleached and the others around it are just fine. Par is only around 110 at bottom

[Reef or Die]

anyone care to post pics of great colored chalices under eco tech radions?

[watchguy123]

A couple of chalices under mh (250'watt 20k radiums) and 4 t5's (80 watt) taken last month. I think all lights, mh or t5 or LEDs are good, and combinations may likely be better.

http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg481/watchguy123/2014/January%202014/chalice3_zps7a6d4dd6.jpg (http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/watchguy123/media/2014/January%202014/chalice3_zps7a6d4dd6.jpg.html)

http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg481/watchguy123/2014/January%202014/chalice9_zps137b0d53.jpg (http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/watchguy123/media/2014/January%202014/chalice9_zps137b0d53.jpg.html)

http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg481/watchguy123/2014/January%202014/chalice5_zps6b3ee3af.jpg (http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/watchguy123/media/2014/January%202014/chalice5_zps6b3ee3af.jpg.html)

[Knightnsd]

The right placement and LED's have worked well for me and a pic is below on a 3g that I got 8 months ago as a plug of about 8 eyes, now nearly 20 this picture is about 2 months old and the growth would be very evident if a new pic was posted. I have two mini colonies of pink boobies doing well so have not seen color as an issue with my leds. The one thing I have noticed though is some zoas were not happy and I lost most of my GOWs that are coming back now. You may find the chalices changing color though, sometimes for the better and others for the worse. I AM GUESSING that it may be a result of them adapting to the lighting and discovery had a recent show that suggested the corals have the strange colors that become evident under artificial lights, especially black lights and blues, possibly from their natural sunscreen. The color changes usually show up several weeks later or even months in my tank. My cotton candy chalice seemed to hate my tank regardless of its spot, recently it changed colors for the better and is growing out incredibly from a piece I was about to give away. http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae260/Knightnsd/3g_zps2082ac24.png (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/Knightnsd/media/3g_zps2082ac24.png.html)
pink boobieshttp://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae260/Knightnsd/emeraldforsale_zps7e31fa1a.png (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/Knightnsd/media/emeraldforsale_zps7e31fa1a.png.html)
tyree bubble gum now much larger http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/knightnsd68/tyreebubblegum.jpg (http://s1257.photobucket.com/user/knightnsd68/media/tyreebubblegum.jpg.html)

and this nice watermelon http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/knightnsd68/watermelon.jpg (http://s1257.photobucket.com/user/knightnsd68/media/watermelon.jpg.html)

my ignition chalice is doing really well and that is more red than pink but I have a wild berry (red or pink and blue) that is doing well along with an several others if that helps. pink floyd chalice http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/knightnsd68/pinkfloyd.png (http://s1257.photobucket.com/user/knightnsd68/media/pinkfloyd.png.html)

[Knightnsd]

The 3g first pic above is a champ in growth and my Jason Fox My Miami (not pictured)from the reefaplza show is also growing out really nicely. PM your number if you want a specific pic of any chalice I mentioned. I opted for LEDS over energy and heat concerns, my SDGE bill is 300-400 a month with my home office and koi pond/tank already and didn't need halides and a chiller added to it. My pics are just off my phone so don't worry about any lighting editing to make them appear better. Hope this helps to confuse you further on your choice but leds can push out some nice chalice colors

[frankyrivera]

Chalices under 3 radion led fixtures

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee506/frankymaxrivera/B1BA3BCB-F578-40E7-8B3E-0F0751DE5445_zpscqjab1fw.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/frankymaxrivera/media/B1BA3BCB-F578-40E7-8B3E-0F0751DE5445_zpscqjab1fw.jpg.html)

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee506/frankymaxrivera/F8ACDADF-5D30-4CA6-A82A-9F4F76EE94C6_zpsakxxa2dr.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/frankymaxrivera/media/F8ACDADF-5D30-4CA6-A82A-9F4F76EE94C6_zpsakxxa2dr.jpg.html)

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee506/frankymaxrivera/64F0B562-E143-4197-9432-DA52E412FED9_zps2i6gfoth.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/frankymaxrivera/media/64F0B562-E143-4197-9432-DA52E412FED9_zps2i6gfoth.jpg.html)

[Reef or Die]

Thanks for contributing guys!! Your chalices look great under LEDs and do not look washed out or discolored. This is the type of proof that i was looking for.
I have always been very skeptical about LEDs ability to hold proper colors. Looks like I was wrong!

[frankyrivera]

They also said you can't keep SPS under LEDs. Here are some pics of SPS under Radions LEDs

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee506/frankymaxrivera/F8ACDADF-5D30-4CA6-A82A-9F4F76EE94C6_zpsakxxa2dr.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/frankymaxrivera/media/F8ACDADF-5D30-4CA6-A82A-9F4F76EE94C6_zpsakxxa2dr.jpg.html)

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee506/frankymaxrivera/6360BB0B-0F8A-479C-94CE-5BEA9CB1D42E_zpskfjxddsm.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/frankymaxrivera/media/6360BB0B-0F8A-479C-94CE-5BEA9CB1D42E_zpskfjxddsm.jpg.html)

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee506/frankymaxrivera/3021916A-FE53-44BE-A71C-62D662479D24_zpscvhpsaif.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/frankymaxrivera/media/3021916A-FE53-44BE-A71C-62D662479D24_zpscvhpsaif.jpg.html)

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee506/frankymaxrivera/B3881C8F-43EE-43C8-9A79-2B3A13586A45_zps7pd6cz5z.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/frankymaxrivera/media/B3881C8F-43EE-43C8-9A79-2B3A13586A45_zps7pd6cz5z.jpg.html)

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee506/frankymaxrivera/A65F5ACF-3383-48C0-930E-1E0BC01F83A6_zpsq2n2rnqm.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/frankymaxrivera/media/A65F5ACF-3383-48C0-930E-1E0BC01F83A6_zpsq2n2rnqm.jpg.html)

[frankyrivera]

Oops disregard the chalice shot

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee506/frankymaxrivera/0599CF1A-86D8-46B0-93AD-A71386A15B9F_zpscx0tlxe3.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/frankymaxrivera/media/0599CF1A-86D8-46B0-93AD-A71386A15B9F_zpscx0tlxe3.jpg.html)

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee506/frankymaxrivera/7AF4DC54-CE96-4397-9782-ECF90BE58DC9_zps0qwhiab7.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/frankymaxrivera/media/7AF4DC54-CE96-4397-9782-ECF90BE58DC9_zps0qwhiab7.jpg.html)

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee506/frankymaxrivera/50A03A24-09B6-4153-8A48-6C891C70123A_zpsjlpu1y5h.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/frankymaxrivera/media/50A03A24-09B6-4153-8A48-6C891C70123A_zpsjlpu1y5h.jpg.html)

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee506/frankymaxrivera/4226A14C-4730-4ABC-9088-5B678AB51766_zpsoij0qhrq.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/frankymaxrivera/media/4226A14C-4730-4ABC-9088-5B678AB51766_zpsoij0qhrq.jpg.html)

[Knightnsd]

@frankyrivera.. ditto on sps under leds, mine are doing well, including hawkins echinata, shades of fall, forest fire monti, mystic sunset, and the jack o lantern lepto is growing very well but had to be moved further down. Nice pics by the way

[frankyrivera]

Thanks while I can take credit for the pictures since I took them. The corals are not mine nor do I run LEDs. By my signature you would know I run a 6 bulb ATI. These pictures are of my buddy's tank who does in fact run LEDs and has an amazing tank just thought I'd share some of his tank pics for anyone who claims LEDs can't grow or color

[Knightnsd]

awesome pics either way and thanks for clearing that up and sharing as well, I just saw your name next to pics, I think the lighting issue turns into a personal preference-in a cooler climate than San Diego I may opt for halides, especially if my power bill was reasonable or I had solar.

[charliet21]

Any folks with great chalice color under 20k metal halide bulbs??

I recently read that the WWC tanks were having problems with their chalices under MH so they switched to t5/led.. I am now second guessing my new build where I planned on using a geisemann spectra 250 MH with 4 t5s.. Are there any tricks to chalice under MH or should I scrap my plan and go with the proven king of lights for chalices-T5...

Again pics help and make this thread more interesting. Thanks

I only run mh 3hrs a day pcs 8hrs true lumen after that

[johnike]

All MH, no supplemental.
20K cheapo Plusrite bulbs.
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p361/john_eichwedel/014-2.jpg (http://s345.photobucket.com/user/john_eichwedel/media/014-2.jpg.html)

[AdamSabina]

I know this is a repeat but my chalises faded under my LEDs even on the sand bed at about 70 par. I placed them UNDER the ledge at the are growing nicely at 30par but I'm waiting to see if the colors brighten up

[Reef or Die]

Let's see some more chalices under mh systems...

[mayjong]

1st pic is what my buddys challices did under leds.they are MONSTERS (radion pro now, i think)
2cd pic, i have "frags"(30+eyes) of the same ones in my 60g system that have been grown out from 2-3 eye frags, all under leds (first under blue-white retrofit led, now under reefbreeders). currently have a red (unknown) and a purple watermelon growing out from frags, both are doing well.
also moved the HUGE miami to another tank, it is also under reefbreeders leds. the damage that occured in moving it (edges and a couple of spots in the middle were crushed) healed within a week. the thing is a monster....(my 150g)
biggest concern is transitioning them to led light, once they are acclimated (like months), they can take direct light easily..

[ryanerickson]

I run ai sols if the whites are on above 40% my chalice all starts to bleach with just blues they seen fine. In my opinion LEDs are not the best lighting for chalice I have three large pieces that have been under these light for almost 3 years with little. Growth while sps in same tank is growing like weeds.

[northernreefe]

I have mine under a vertex 360 and they are doing great, like another poster mentioned not all fixtures are created equal.