MrsBugmaster Posted December 30, 2021 Report Share Posted December 30, 2021 I am thinking about going to a metal halide/led hybrid light on my 34 gallon. Has anyone else gone back to metal halides? I have been having a lot of issues with dino's in both my tanks. And it looks like even some of the pros are having issues with all LED's after a few months to a year going back to metal halides or a hybrid. After doing some research I am seeing a possible, but not confirmed, theory that led's don't have the true UA that may be needed. Even though they are advertised a UV bulbs, they really are not when tested with a spectrometer(?) The theory was that UV(that is in metal halides) kills some the the bacteria that causes dino's and maybe other issues. I would love to hear from anyone else that has gone back to MH lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanknovice Posted December 31, 2021 Report Share Posted December 31, 2021 Amanda I have not run MH so not sure if a cure for dinos. I you like the overall effect of your current lights for coral, you might try a UV sterilizer instead of switching lights Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBugmaster Posted December 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2021 I have amphidiniums which are not affected by uv. The lights on my 34 gallon are 8 year old LED’s and par meter shows 96 an inch under the water, so it is time to replace them anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBugmaster Posted December 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2021 Here is a good video that got me thinking about this. https://youtu.be/NsT2htFcHgE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo620 Posted January 1, 2022 Report Share Posted January 1, 2022 Amanda. I had amphidinium dinos before my switch to LED. It never got too out of control even when the tank was lit with only the LED. I did manage to get rid of it now. Not sure which nail it the coffin it was. Only thing I was strict about was bi-weekly water changes with sand bed siphon, and weekly microbactor 7 dosing (now bi-weekly) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBugmaster Posted January 3, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2022 On 1/1/2022 at 3:31 PM, Gonzo620 said: Amanda. I had amphidinium dinos before my switch to LED. It never got too out of control even when the tank was lit with only the LED. I did manage to get rid of it now. Not sure which nail it the coffin it was. Only thing I was strict about was bi-weekly water changes with sand bed siphon, and weekly microbactor 7 dosing (now bi-weekly) What lights are you running now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted January 3, 2022 Report Share Posted January 3, 2022 I've been running Halides again for 3 years. I use the Reefbrite XHO for my blues and I love the look! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBugmaster Posted January 3, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2022 1 hour ago, Atomic said: I've been running Halides again for 3 years. I use the Reefbrite XHO for my blues and I love the look! I am strongly leaning towards the Reef Brite mh/led hybrid. I was thinking about the 250 watt cause the size bulb is easier to find than the 150 watt but wondering if that will be too much for my 34 gallon Red Sea reefer 170. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo620 Posted January 9, 2022 Report Share Posted January 9, 2022 On 1/3/2022 at 9:47 AM, MrsBugmaster said: What lights are you running now? I’ve got 3 xr30 pros and a 2 bulb t5 fixture to take care of shadowing on the 180. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tprize Posted January 9, 2022 Report Share Posted January 9, 2022 You can also consider the flip side a Kessil a500x / T5 combo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBugmaster Posted January 10, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2022 20 hours ago, tprize said: You can also consider the flip side a Kessil a500x / T5 combo I looked at T5’s but can’t do them cause smallest size is 24”. Tank is only 20” cube. I don’t want the light sticking out over the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBugmaster Posted January 10, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2022 On 1/3/2022 at 9:47 AM, MrsBugmaster said: What lights are you running now? The led lights I have now is now longer being made. It is a Vertek Illumina. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBugmaster Posted January 10, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2022 I went ahead and ordered the Reef Brite 175 watt Metal Halide/LED Hybrid. Also got the dimmer controls for the leds so I can have sunrise/sunset ramp up and down times on the tank. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tprize Posted January 19, 2022 Report Share Posted January 19, 2022 Have the lights come in? I’m excited to see the transformation, hopefully you can do a before and after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBugmaster Posted January 21, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2022 On 1/19/2022 at 4:09 PM, tprize said: Have the lights come in? I’m excited to see the transformation, hopefully you can do a before and after. Light came in very quickly, I was surprised how quick I got it. It is already installed. I didn’t get before pick but I can post some after. I have a 14 k bulb now but thinking of putting in a 20k bulb. I will get some pictures later when light comes on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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