Metal Halide Advice Needed for SPS

[richardhmc]

So, I've been bitten by the SPS bug and I'm trying to get 2 metal halides over my 18 inch tall 50 gallon tank.

I was thinking at first about two 150 watt metal halides
However, I already have a 250w ballast that I could use. So could I instead put 2 250 watt metal halides? Or is that overkill?

My tank is only 18 inches height too. With canopy, only an inch or two higher.

Thanks!

 

[batt600]

why dont you go with a 6 bulb T5 setup it will be better and no that much heat were if you get MH you will need to get a chill . Had MH they put out alot of heat in the tank .

 

[wayne]

To begin with the height above the tank for mh i think it should be 12" they tend to throw a lot of heat which evaporates the water in the tank more faster than regular t5s so @ two inches above the tank you'd have to cut down on the lighting time for the mh which is not good for the tank, so maybe either you raise the canopy to 12" or you get some type of t5's or led's.

 

[richardhmc]

T5 will be sufficient for any kind of sps?

Right, for this situation I would either have to raise the canopy, or change my lighting

 

[jerl77]

yes some time they are stronger then mh depends on the bulbs you pick
i run mh for years didnt belive the t5 could grow them its been 2 years with t5s and i get the same groth under them go with the t5s

T5 will be sufficient for any kind of sps?

Right, for this situation I would either have to raise the canopy, or change my lighting

 

[wayne]

nice and the best part is that the t5s cost less to run than the mh i just got this 8 bulb tek that i'm gonna use for a new tank i'm setting up............

 

[richardhmc]

Oh wow that looks great.

If I did run a t5 I could definitely fit it in... hmm something to consider then.

Does it matter what bulbs you run?

 

[jerl77]

yes the bulbs do make a differnce run ati or a higher end bulb

 

[petraio]

i have a 120 with 3 250 watts de bulbs growt is fast with 10k bulbs but if i look for colorand choose 20k i will loose th intesity for growth ! well you might say why not change! yes I keep thinking to go with t5 lighting!! just that ... i love the shimmering of halide!! so if i were you I will do t5 and yes the choice of the bu;b brand is the key! good luck and keep us postef !! pictures

 

[richardhmc]

i have a 120 with 3 250 watts de bulbs growt is fast but if i look for color i willl loose th intesity for growth ! well you might say why not change! yes I keep thinking to go with t5 lighting!! just that ... i love the shimmering of halide!! so if i were you I will do t5 and yes the choice of the bu;b brand is the key! good luck and keep us postef !! pictures

yup, I get great growth with a halide right now from my single sps frag haha.
I shall!!

 

[faito jan]

Ati 6 tubes t5 nice lamp

 

[ROGERWILCO357]

I have 2 250watt se 20k xm bulbs over my 120 and it rocks , I also have another tank with the ATI Powermodule 8x80watt setup and I see better color off that put give the growth factor to the metal halides especially if you use the 10k Ushio's best growing bulb IMO.

 

[JonnyJ]

you got a 36" tek with ati bulbs. USE IT, IF YOUR UNHAPPY IN A FEW MONTHS. THEN SWITCH.

 

[richardhmc]

you got a 36" tek with ati bulbs. USE IT, IF YOUR UNHAPPY IN A FEW MONTHS. THEN SWITCH.

Jonny this thread started four months ago! haha I like t5s