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View Full Version : better lighting for sps


Erik2514
04/05/2015, 11:07 PM
I acquired a 75g tank and it came with 2 175w metal halide with 2 super actinic VHO bulbs but right now I'm running two 165w Chinese "**** boxes" over my 60g lps/softie tank. Which would be a better light for my 75g soon to be SPS dominated tank. Thanks again

Peter Eichler
04/06/2015, 12:43 AM
Do you want to decide between those two options, or get all new lighting?

nmotz
04/06/2015, 02:16 AM
Between those two options, I would think the first would be better for SPS, but it's really hard to say. Lots depends on coral placement, tank depth, and many other factors.

Reel North
04/06/2015, 06:54 AM
Halides. Period

Potsy
04/06/2015, 07:34 AM
They'll both work, but the halides are plug and play. Personally? I'd go with the halides, but with Iwasaki 15k bulbs; they're more intense than most 250w bulbs.

NYCBOB
04/06/2015, 07:48 AM
metal halide. just make sure the bulbs r not too old. mh bulbs on average last about 12-18 months.

Erik2514
04/06/2015, 10:16 AM
What would be best bulb for 175w. I looked up iwasaki 15k bulb but it says that it has been discontinued. Any other options?

cloak
04/06/2015, 10:28 AM
With the two VHO actinics, I would go with a Hamilton 14K. If you want to try and promote more growth, an XM 10K.

Erik2514
04/06/2015, 10:43 AM
Why do u say Hamilton 10k would promote more growth??

cloak
04/06/2015, 10:58 AM
Check this out.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-08/dw/index.php

HTH.

swk
04/06/2015, 11:09 AM
Halides. Hands down

Erik2514
04/06/2015, 11:53 AM
Thank you cloak for the help...right now I have ushio 10ks I might stick with until I actually stock my tank. They were the bulbs that came with my setup and are only a few months old. I appreciate all insight and will definitely be diving more into metal halide lighting thanks everyone

alton
04/06/2015, 02:54 PM
If the halides are electronic ballast try Reeflux 12K lamps from coralvue. I used them years ago on my 75

ca1ore
04/06/2015, 06:03 PM
This 'debate' always makes me think of the CRT versus flat-panel TV debate of years past. There were the dyed in the wool CRT guys who pooh poohed the flat screens saying how they would never be as good ..... yadda yadda. Not too many folks left who still think that way. If you are reading about lighting, pay close attention to the age of the article. LEDs have come a long way in recent years and I don't believe older comparisons are valid anymore. MH is a largely mature, 'you know what you're getting' technology. LED much younger, with a bewildering array of options and control. I have seen stunning tanks with both. I'm now 100% LED.

Peter Eichler
04/06/2015, 11:56 PM
This 'debate' always makes me think of the CRT versus flat-panel TV debate of years past. There were the dyed in the wool CRT guys who pooh poohed the flat screens saying how they would never be as good ..... yadda yadda. Not too many folks left who still think that way. If you are reading about lighting, pay close attention to the age of the article. LEDs have come a long way in recent years and I don't believe older comparisons are valid anymore. MH is a largely mature, 'you know what you're getting' technology. LED much younger, with a bewildering array of options and control. I have seen stunning tanks with both. I'm now 100% LED.

I think it's more like the Plasma vs. LCD with LED debate. I wish I could still buy that 60" top of the line Panasonic Plasma. My backlit LED TV is really nice, but I would have rather had a new plasma. Some day many of us will probably lament the death of Radiums, but we won't have a choice but to move on...