Looking into a metal halide

[Fphipps]

I have a few tanks going right now and I just re did my 47 column. It's 30 inches tall and my double T5 just ain't Cuttin it anymore. I was going to put LEDs on it because I love the way they look and the growth I've seen in my 75. But then I found a metal halide fixture with two actinic T5 and had a question. It's 150 watts. Is that going to be enough to get light to the bottom? I'm very unfamiliar with these lights. My t5 has done an ok job growing my zoas and shrooms, but I re did the tank and would like to incorporate some SPS. I figure if I put them closer to the top it would be fine. Just curious to see people opinions on the 150 watt bulb. I believe it's a 15k bulb.

[sirreal63]

That is asking a lot of a 150 watt bulb, it is possible with a good reflector and a high par bulb but don't expect high light acro's on the sanded to thrive.

[Fphipps]

I dont plan to put anything with high lighting demands on the bottom. prob just zoas and shrooms. will it be brighter than my T5? or should i just get the LEDs?

[Michigan Mike]

I'm sure a 150w halide is better than a couple 24w t5ho bulbs.
Retro the haldes & t5 together somehow for better results.

[baws187]

zoas and shrooms dont need much light. mh are overkill

[Ron Reefman]

A 150w MH will light the 30" deep tank and the PAR at the bottom will be fine for zoas and softies. Any sps will need to be higher in the tank. You didn't say what make or if the MH is new or used? How does it compare to an EverGrow IT2080 from OceanRevive at $450, or a Reef Breeders Photon32 at the same price?

[Fphipps]

It probably doesnt compare. Its from aquatraders. i wasnt planning on doing SPS and was just looking for a cheap quad T5 for my softies and stumbled upon the metal halide. its cheap but the reviews are good. so I figured id give it a shot.

[sirreal63]

I would run from that thing as fast as I could.

[Michigan Mike]

I got a 150w phenox bulb, reef optix pendant, and m-81 sunlight supply our wave ballast all for $50.

You can find new 150w Phoenix 14k bulbs for under $40 and good for 1 1/2 yrs, good proven lighting, that can be found cheap if you look around, join a club or local forum.

[moondoggy4]

Like Mike stated they are really good deals to be had on used MH's find out what is good wait a little and buy it used, you may be happier with a 250 watt unit more plentiful. You could just post back on this thread, you got two of the MH guru's on this thread and I am not one of them.

[moondoggy4]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2255136 cheaper and better look at the 250 model

[moondoggy4]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2291725 a possibility

[Fphipps]

thanks for the info guys. i decided against buying the one i saw originally and am going to do more research into it. curious though, whats the disadvantage to buying the cheaper model like i saw? quality or the bulb?

[sirreal63]

Odyssea lacks quality control, it is a cheap China import that has a very long history of failures. If you are looking for a budget friendly MH that won't burn the house down, shock you or just quit working for no known reason, look at aquamedic. They are not the greatest but they are adequate and their Cube ballast is very very hard to beat.