LED or Metal Halide.

Discussion in 'Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting' started by cody3819, Oct 8, 2015.

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  1. cody3819

    cody3819 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    I have a biocube 29 and I'm wanting to up grade my lighting. I'm not sure if I want to go LED or Metal Halide? If I go LED I believe I will get the ai prime. Just want some input on this. I'm somewhat new to the hobby so I want to take in all the angles.
     
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  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    I would not run MH on a nano if I had the option of running a prime. The heat and cost for MH on a small tank is not really worth it.

    Don't get me wrong I love MH and I have used it on a nano. It's the chillers and fans I hate.
     
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  4. cody3819

    cody3819 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    Thanks, what temp do you believe it will run at?
     
  5. cody3819

    cody3819 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    Right now my tank stays at 77 to 78.
     
  6. civiccars2003

    civiccars2003 Great Blue Whale

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    I'm a MH user. The best IMO, just not for a nano, good for my 220.
     
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  7. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Depends on the ambient room temp and number of pumps you have running. My tank would run around 82-84 at it's warmest. Too hot and too much of a swing for a little tank and sensitive corals. Many corals would do just fine.
     
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  9. cody3819

    cody3819 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    Yea..... thanks for the info. I found a no name brand on ebay. For like 139 not sure if it's worth it or not? That's what got me to think about MH.
     
  10. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    If your comparing a cheap ebay halide fixture to the prime then your comparing an apple to an orange. You would need to honestly invest in a chiller if you run a halide on a nano. I run halide/T5 on my 75 gallon and my tank would cook without it. A cheap no name halide fixture from ebay means crappy reflectors and crappy bulbs/ballasts which can't compare to a name brand LED like the prime.
     
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  11. cody3819

    cody3819 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    Thanks DSC reef, that's what I was looking for. I believe I will go with the prime.
     
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  12. Kevin_E

    Kevin_E Giant Squid

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    I had a 250 watt on my 20. Ridiculous growth and color. Temp crept to 86 on occasion, but mostly 82-83. I did keep the room cooler though.
     
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