Why not more metal halide?

SCUBA_BUZZ · 10-13-2012, 04:22 AM

Just curious as to why more people don't use these. I use a 175watt over my 80 gallon and it makes the tank look amazing, natural looking shimmer along the substrate, plants are growing like weeds, and it's super easy to move out of the way when I want to aquascape.

Is there something better I'm missing out on?

CatB · 10-13-2012, 04:36 AM

i think most people don't have a tank large enough. if you put a MH over say, a 20 gallon tank, the plants will only suffer unless you hang it waaaayyyy up. i've seen plenty of others with 80+ gallon tanks using them, though.

willknowitall · 10-13-2012, 04:51 AM

yup not good for small tanks
you need at least 18 inch from front to back. 24 inch or wider is ideal or your just thoughing to much light on the glass

also if you live in a hot climate they give off too much heat

**oldpunk78** · 10-13-2012, 11:29 AM

I'm in a hot climate with a 16g tank and a mh fixture. The light is way above the tank though. I love the look. Nothing bends light waves like an hqi fixture.

DogFish · 10-13-2012, 12:38 PM

For me it's the energy $$$, bulb replacement $$$ and the heat.

I'm able to get the growth I need with 2- 18w PAR38 LEDs at a lower cost with a 50,000 hr life expectancy.

SCUBA_BUZZ · 10-13-2012, 05:09 PM

Ok that makes sense, I'm switching back from reef and am accustomed to doing a quick browse around find someone with same light as me see what they got see what I like and go get it. Since I can't find any tanks with halide I'm not too sure what I can get, what might suffer from too much light etc.

willknowitall · 10-13-2012, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCUBA_BUZZ

Ok that makes sense, I'm switching back from reef and am accustomed to doing a quick browse around find someone with same light as me see what they got see what I like and go get it. Since I can't find any tanks with halide I'm not too sure what I can get, what might suffer from too much light etc.

depends on how high your fxture is , what kind of fixture(reflector), are you adding lots of co2, what type of bulb, type of plants, effort you want to put into prunning

i have 3 150w halide lights, all are about 36 inch above supstrate, wide tanks, wide reflection, high co2, 8000k bulbs, ei dosing
plant growth is fast, algae not much of an issue

james1542 · 10-14-2012, 04:12 AM

I love my 16.5" sunpod. It's a 70 watt hqi, mounted on legs right over the tank, and it doesn't heat my tank up over 73 F. My tank is only 14 gallons. I've melted a few plants when I first switched too it, but now everything thrives.

and the bulbs are under 30 bucks, probably get a new one every 2 years. For the wattage, it's hard to beat those lumens

10-13-2012, 04:22 AM	#1
SCUBA_BUZZ Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ontario Posts: 5	Why not more metal halide? Just curious as to why more people don't use these. I use a 175watt over my 80 gallon and it makes the tank look amazing, natural looking shimmer along the substrate, plants are growing like weeds, and it's super easy to move out of the way when I want to aquascape. Is there something better I'm missing out on?

10-13-2012, 12:38 PM	#5
DogFish Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (33/100%) Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: ChicagoLand Posts: 5,202	For me it's the energy $$$, bulb replacement $$$ and the heat. I'm able to get the growth I need with 2- 18w PAR38 LEDs at a lower cost with a 50,000 hr life expectancy. __________________ ToxicTen/DogFish's 40/Aquaponics for Vegans

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10-13-2012, 04:36 AM	#2
CatB Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,013	i think most people don't have a tank large enough. if you put a MH over say, a 20 gallon tank, the plants will only suffer unless you hang it waaaayyyy up. i've seen plenty of others with 80+ gallon tanks using them, though.

10-13-2012, 04:51 AM	#3
willknowitall Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: canada Posts: 496	yup not good for small tanks you need at least 18 inch from front to back. 24 inch or wider is ideal or your just thoughing to much light on the glass also if you live in a hot climate they give off too much heat

10-13-2012, 11:29 AM	#4
oldpunk78 newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (102/100%) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 4,429	I'm in a hot climate with a 16g tank and a mh fixture. The light is way above the tank though. I love the look. Nothing bends light waves like an hqi fixture.

10-13-2012, 05:09 PM	#6
SCUBA_BUZZ Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ontario Posts: 5	Ok that makes sense, I'm switching back from reef and am accustomed to doing a quick browse around find someone with same light as me see what they got see what I like and go get it. Since I can't find any tanks with halide I'm not too sure what I can get, what might suffer from too much light etc.

10-14-2012, 04:12 AM	#8
james1542 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: WA Posts: 506	I love my 16.5" sunpod. It's a 70 watt hqi, mounted on legs right over the tank, and it doesn't heat my tank up over 73 F. My tank is only 14 gallons. I've melted a few plants when I first switched too it, but now everything thrives. and the bulbs are under 30 bucks, probably get a new one every 2 years. For the wattage, it's hard to beat those lumens