MHs? or LEDs?

[mr.clownfish]

im going to purchase a 180gal soon and my main coral is going to be SPS and LPS coral along with some Softies, and i was wondering if i should get metal halides or LEDs. i know that 180gals come in 2 common dimensions im not sure what the dimensions are but its the longer one of the two. im looking for around 400 watts of lighting. i dont mind the price of the fixtures i just want whats best for the SPS coral. what are some pros and cons of the two. which lighting looks nicer?

 

[kraylen]

LEDs if you can afford it. The price difference is night and day.

 

[mr.clownfish]

do they come in high wattage?

 

[spanko]

Check out this thread.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/371186/my-local-fish-stores-sales-pitch

 

[kraylen]

Originally Posted by Mr.clownfish
http:///forum/post/3198692
do they come in high wattage?
Wattage? Why would you want high wattage? Makes no sense.

 

[mr.clownfish]

Originally Posted by Kraylen
http:///forum/post/3198751
Wattage? Why would you want high wattage? Makes no sense.
for coral

 

[wangotango]

These kits have just about everything you need:
Most people are using about 1 LED per 10-20 square inches of tank surface, so that should give you a look into the price. You're also going to need heatsinks.
-Justin

 

[ibew41]

does rapid give the k rating on the leds.I was going to use them for supplemental since these lamps go first

 

[kraylen]

Originally Posted by Mr.clownfish
http:///forum/post/3200415
for coral

You want PAR, not wattage. PAR makes coral grow.. wattage makes your wallet shrink. The idea behind LED hoods for the most part is putting out higher PAR without higher wattage.

 

[kraylen]

Originally Posted by IBEW41
http:///forum/post/3200788
does rapid give the k rating on the leds.I was going to use them for supplemental since these lamps go first
They are cool whites and royal blues..... perfect K for reef. Just think daylight and actintic.

 

[mr.clownfish]

Originally Posted by Kraylen
http:///forum/post/3200935
You want PAR, not wattage. PAR makes coral grow.. wattage makes your wallet shrink. The idea behind LED hoods for the most part is putting out higher PAR without higher wattage.
oh so its called par for LEDs? thats cool, i didnt know. thanks!

 

[mr.clownfish]

Originally Posted by WangoTango http:///forum/post/3200431
These kits have just about everything you need:
Most people are using about 1 LED per 10-20 square inches of tank surface, so that should give you a look into the price. You're also going to need heatsinks.
-Justin
wow! so its 10 bucks per bulb... how many would i need for a 180 gal... i dont know much about LED lighting im just starting to learning. and what are heatsinkers?

 

[mastertech]

here is a link to my retrofit. i can assume from the research i have done you will need about 1/2 to 3/4 of an led per gallon of 3w high output cree xr-e leds or equivilant to match MH bulbs. so 180 g = 90-135 leds.and beware that kit at rapid led the dimmable maxwell drivers will need a "Pulse With Modulator" to control the dimming function, otherwise they will be an all on or all off system. i have yet to find a "PWM" that is avail on the open market. every one i have seen has been build by a solid state electrical hobbiest.
here is my link. https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/370763/led-conversion

 

[kraylen]

Originally Posted by Mr.clownfish
http:///forum/post/3201629
oh so its called par for LEDs? thats cool, i didnt know. thanks!

It's a little more complicated than that.