Lighting

[livloyalist]

Hi,

turning to all the experts for advice.

have the subject tank keeping LPS, clams and maybe some SPS later.My questions:

1. If for MH light, preferably 2 units, what sort of power shld i look for? 150W per light or more 175/250?

2. If using commercial spot light or so called flood light, what sort of power to look for?

3. There is this something like 14K/18k? light intensity? If so, base on the above what do i loook for?

4. Can LED actually replace MH for the same purpose and can it have that sort of shimmering effect?

once agian, thanks for all your time and effort.

[comycus]

1. If for MH light, preferably 2 units, what sort of power shld i look for? 150W per light or more 175/250?

Go for 250W

2. If using commercial spot light or so called flood light, what sort of power to look for?

I have no experience in this, although I would think that it's prob not feasible either due to costs, PAR levels or colouration. Otherwise we would have seen users recommending it.

3. There is this something like 14K/18k? light intensity? If so, base on the above what do i loook for?

Depends on your preference actually, and whether you are using any other lights to complement your MH. Basically the higher the colour temperature, the bluer your light. Don't go below 5k.

4. Can LED actually replace MH for the same purpose and can it have that sort of shimmering effect?

Yes, although it is still in it's infant stage, reefers have seen LEDs provide sustainable growth in corals, even in SPS. It is also more energy efficient than MH and is a lot cooler than MH. It also provides the same shimmering effect as MH that cannot be recreated using T5.

[DUCADOS]

Absolutely agree with the above but I understand getting a led is not cheap. Just like the very beginning MH also selling sky high price.

Hope future the price will go down.

[livloyalist]

Thanks both for your time and advice.

[jackywongto]

Liv

you will need to consider your tank location, is it airy etc....

There will be a lot of heat from MH especially in a enclosed tank.

1. If for MH light, preferably 2 units, what sort of power shld i look for? 150W per light or more 175/250?

- 250W will be more suitable for SPS in future.

2. If using commercial spot light or so called flood light, what sort of power to look for?

- no idea. would not explore this if I am you. There are already several MH options out there.

3. There is this something like 14K/18k? light intensity? If so, base on the above what do i loook for?

10K - white, better growth, corals look more plain though

20k - more bluish, slower corals growth, make corals look more luminous.

14k - inbetween.

4. Can LED actually replace MH for the same purpose and can it have that sort of shimmering effect

Yup... some of the have been using LED for SPS for some time already.... there will be shimmering effect but not like MH ones. LED shimmering very slightly less intense than the MH shimmering effect.

hmmmm.... personally i would put my $$ into LEDs.

MH sets will also be very difficult to sell off in future.

[livloyalist]

Thks jacky for your time and effort explaining. Also appreciate Comycus and Ducados advice.

[DUCADOS]

Thks jacky for your time and effort explaining. Also appreciate Comycus and Ducados advice.

When will your new tank be set up? Possible to go your place have a look? Must be damn chio lo

[livloyalist]

used to have a smaller tank and old rocks with layers of coraline algae. shifted partial live fishes, cleared most clorals, rescape with some new bleached white rocks :-) and waiting for it to turn purple in couple of mths i hope. now bit by bit add in whatever things i like slowly.

simple tank, diy some stuffs, thanks to some kind forum reefers like u guys with gd stuffs, pix them altogether thats my tank. perhaps take pic when ready and in mood. of course welcome to my place for exchange and chat. now tank is abt 10-20% i think. alot more to go... i family man has budget, monies go to kids first and family stuffs.

thks again all.

[DUCADOS]

Humble guy u r....