Switch from LEDs to MH

[Hockeynut]

I have been running my 90 gallon for the past 2 years with LEDs and recently I added t5s to try and get better coverage and it is better, but recently I have been thinking of scrapping the led t5 Combo for a twin 250 MH with 4 t5s fixture my question is has anyone done this and was there any ill affects to established coral?
And second are you happy you made the switch?
I see a lot of tanks with MH and love the way they look I don't want to seem to be a led basher but I havnt been 100% happy with them. I have seen other people run LEDs and have great success I have had great growth and decent color but have had a lot of shadows especially on the sides of my coral let me know what you think.
I am aware of the obvious cost differences and heat issues but I feel if my tank looks a lot better it will be worth it.

 

[viplok]

i just switched from led t5 combo to 250w MH.

the only "ill effect" is i am get better polyp extension, healthier looking coral and growth.

:trash:

the only thing i miss is the pop from royal blue

 

[Hockeynut]

i just switched from led t5 combo to 250w MH.

the only "ill effect" is i am get better polyp extension, healthier looking coral and growth.

:trash:

the only thing i miss is the pop from royal blue

Do you run t5 with your MH or LEDs like reef brights

 

[xclusive252]

Following I am doing the same thing this weekend so I will take b4 and monthly pics to post here

 

[Hockeynut]

Good idea I think I will do the same but I might not make the switch for a couple weeks

 

[viplok]

i use to run led with t5. now just runing MH. waiting for my giesemann infiniti. following this post
xclusive cant wait to see b4 and after pic.

 

[xclusive252]

I was running Radion pros with T5 Blue +. I am switching to 250w 20k Radiums with T5 Blue +

 

[midtownman]

thinking about doing the same too. i'll keep you posted

 

[Hockeynut]

Right now I am running 2 AI vegas and two blue plus T5s

 

[brick-brothers]

I ran diy leds for all my systems and recently switch to Mh's with in the past couple of months. I couldnt be happier with them. I still run just the blue leds for an hr before the mh comes on and an hr after they go off. I get faster growth with the mh's.

 

[dubs]

I been saying this for a few years now mh I still cooking reefing I been running mh my whole reefing adventure and I will continue to run mh other light are nice but not for me if I want to see color pop I have plenty of friends with led But when I it come to growing out corals mh is still the better way to go and I can Def put my money were my mouth is I think I have grown out enough corals around here with mh

 

[dubs]

Metal halides still got a thumbs in my book as mater of fact am working on running 4 on my 150

 

[Jazeel55]

I recently went from MH to LEDs. At first I wasn't happy with how things were looking but after I adjusted the lights I am happy. I did have better growth from MH but LED are cooler and the colors pop Better. Will I go back home MH............ Yeah maybe!!!!

 

[jackson6745]

IMO, it doesn't matter what LED or what optic, the light is coming from a small diode, illuminating a small portion of the coral from an angle. I believe this is where issues of corals not doing well, or coloring up, stem from. Halide does the same thing but to a much lesser degree, because the bulb and spread is much larger in comparison to a diode. For complete coverage T5 is best. I would't run halide or led without t5, unless the entire tank was covered by them.

Plug in your halide and enjoy the light.

 

[Hockeynut]

IMO, it doesn't matter what LED or what optic, the light is coming from a small diode, illuminating a small portion of the coral from an angle. I believe this is where issues of corals not doing well, or coloring up, stem from. Halide does the same thing but to a much lesser degree, because the bulb and spread is much larger in comparison to a diode. For complete coverage T5 is best. I would't run halide or led without t5, unless the entire tank was covered by them.

Plug in your halide and enjoy the light.

I agree 100% Jackson I have always said that LEDs are great lights but lack coverage, if you were to cover the whole or most of the tank with LEDs I'm sure they would do a great job but most of the fixtures out there are very small and the light is concentrated in the center so there is no way to avoid the shadows associated with LEDs that's why I have added the T5s they fill the area the LEDs miss.

 

[Hockeynut]

Lots of convincing arguments to make the switch here so this brings me to my next question,
Which bulbs to run, the fixture is a 48" current outer orbit with two 250 hqi double ended bulbs and 4 t5s.
I would love to run 20 k radium but can't so what do you guys suggest and why?