Metal halides

[oscar freak]

enquiring minds would like to know whats the deal with mh:

1.when should one consider using them,is it a depth thing?
2.are they all expensive
3.do the results justify the cost
4.are they power guzzlers
5.then there's the heating factor.
6.and who's using them on their tropical tanks

[shihr]

1.when should one consider using them,is it a depth thing? -yes its a depth thing. when you want extreme lighting.
2.are they all expensive - ya most of them are all expensive
3.do the results justify the cost - from what i read, they burn out pretty quick and go dim easy.. they also get really really hot!
4.are they power guzzlers - most definately
5.then there's the heating factor. - hot as hell
6.and who's using them on their tropical tanks- as far as i know henk and the rich ppl :P

[shihr]

they create a nice shimmering effect though! like rays thru the water in the swimming pool..

but heard that leds are the way of the future.. currently there are ppl experimenting with LEDs with intersting and similar results to MH's with out most of the disadvantages/costs..

they bloody expensive though

[oscar freak]

So how much do these led's cost lol

[Go-Big]

They are going to make street light from LED light soon. Low running cost and loads of lumens.

[azurekoi]

We sell Clip on LED's units that range from 8 to 16 LED's,some aredimmable for between R150 to R200 at Pet Stop....Pity I didnt get time to show you when you where there last time shihr

Alao have Fancooled MH units as low as 70W....he,he

[oscar freak]

so then we forget mh and buy LED and use them as per t5 in a hood?

[shihr]

azurekoi, i did see them.. but im afraid for them to be equivalent to MH's also for plants, you need the almighty 3w cree led's.. very very pricy..

but there are some available on the market now..i would wait till the price comes down though..t5's are good enough for me atm :P

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TMC-GROBEAM-1000-ND-AQUARIUM-LED-LIGHT-TILE-PLANTS-/200408042817

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=177199279007124&set=a.141861362540916.27806.141381589255560&type=1&ref=nf

[oscar freak]

@azure would those work on a 60cm deep tank

[azurekoi]

No Athol - the LED's are small units.... Great for highlighting a patch in your tank...that's about it...

[oscar freak]

so its either a few halides or a lot of t5 for a deep tank

[Rudi]

You don't need that many t5's.I'm running 4 over my 4ft,depth 55 cm.I've had good results.