Power Consumption of MH fixtures.

[David Moses Heng]

Hi brothers,

Can anybody advise on the above caption?

[vurbul]

It depends on the wattage of the bulbs used. The higher the wattage the more it would cost.

[BFG]

An mh is an mh unless you use a diamond reflector.....

[blackBRUSHalgae]

An mh is an mh unless you use a diamond reflector.....

So if A metal halide is already a metal halide, so can you explain to me what a metal halide will be if you use a diamond reflector?

I don't understand your statement at all unless you are trying to say "A metal halide is not a metal halide unless you use a diamond reflector"

[Goondoo]

So if A metal halide is already a metal halide, so can you explain to me what a metal halide will be if you use a diamond reflector?

I don't understand your statement at all unless you are trying to say "A metal halide is not a metal halide unless you use a diamond reflector"

I guess it will be a MH with diamond reflectors
Anyway, I think BFG means that a 75 watt MH bulb will be more power-efficient when using diamond reflector.

[Shadow]

what is diamond reflectors?

[blackBRUSHalgae]

I guess it will be a MH with diamond reflectors
Anyway, I think BFG means that a 75 watt MH bulb will be more power-efficient when using diamond reflector.

Ya I guess that is what he is trying to convey. But honestly a metal halide itself is really bright already, unless you want to bite the bullet and use one bulb with a big diamond reflector when you should have gone with 2 bulbs?

A big cube tank would definitely loves a diamond reflector! If I'm not wrong a diamond reflector roughly measures up to 15" x 15" so yeah a square shape with quite amount of measurement in height.

[BFG]

I am sorry guys for causing the confusion but we need to be better informed about using certain equipment. We have already been on a learning journey through the use of T5. We have learn that through the use of parabolic reflector, we have maximised the light tube emitting light into the tank. An mh is an mh but not all mh are created equal. Like the parabolic reflector on the T5, mh does have a certain reflector than will maximised the light output. You could read the following link.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...03/feature.htm

In this case again, the reflector plays an important part in the light fixture. You could use a 150w, 250w or even a 400w mh lightset but WITHOUT a good reflector, you are just wasting the effort of having an mh but without a proper light distribution.

I hope you guys take the time to read the link above. It will help to make a better judgement on which lightset to be purchase should you want to purchase mh lighting. Hope this helps!

[David Moses Heng]

Bro, Rohizal, May you guide me as to where can i get a value for money MH for a 64" tank with depth 2.5 ft?

Thanks

[blackBRUSHalgae]

I am sorry guys for causing the confusion but we need to be better informed about using certain equipment. We have already been on a learning journey through the use of T5. We have learn that through the use of parabolic reflector, we have maximised the light tube emitting light into the tank. An mh is an mh but not all mh are created equal. Like the parabolic reflector on the T5, mh does have a certain reflector than will maximised the light output. You could read the following link.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...03/feature.htm

In this case again, the reflector plays an important part in the light fixture. You could use a 150w, 250w or even a 400w mh lightset but WITHOUT a good reflector, you are just wasting the effort of having an mh but without a proper light distribution.

I hope you guys take the time to read the link above. It will help to make a better judgement on which lightset to be purchase should you want to purchase mh lighting. Hope this helps!

Certainly, and I strongly suggest everyone, who is serious into their hobby, should read that article. But diamond reflector never really appeal to me mostly because of its size. Yeah talk about form over function >.< But no matter what, when the length of a tank rises above 100cm, you will need more than 1 HQI bulb regardless of reflector, unless you plan low to medium light requirement plants on the sides. And yes this always boils down to how you want to set up your aquascape? One HQI bulb for a 5 feet tank is no problem at all as long as you plan your aquascape properly. For me, my tank is planted heavily and densely with high light plants throughout my entire 100cm tank, and I needed 2 x 150HQI to spread the light well.

[neon]

Currently I am using 2 x 150W MH and change the orientation of the tubes to shine left and right, instead of the usual front and back. I am able to cover my 6ft tank with 2 MH .

Right now, I am contemplating of using 4 x 5' T5 (80W) to even spread the tank.

I am not sure whether it is a good move to switch as the die-hard marine with MH are joining T5.

My concerns are :
a) is MH really superior than T5
b) Tube cost : As my Astrlux 150MH x 2 tube has 10000 MTBF (~3 years) vs T5 (4x80w) 3650 MTBF (10x 365 days). MH = 2x$40 / 3 years => $26/year, T5 ~$40x4= $160/year
c) electric cost = chiller running cost should be lower in T5. How much ?
d) spread of T5 can be even, but penetration is it good for 2+ ft
e) additional investment of T5 (~$650)

Please share your view .

Thanks !

[BFG]

Neon, here's what I know.

a) some reefer uses mh as there are certain species of coral that require more illumination in order to maintain the color of the coral. BUT, nowaday, we are seeing more European reefer showing their setup with using T5 and can still maintain the colour of the same coral species. But always, these coral species need to be place above the sandbed on the live rock. Some even as close to the water surface.

b) The mh bulb reefer uses are more ex than you stated.

c) Can't tell.

d) Spread is 1 thing but reefer using T5 can mix their tubes from other T5 manufacturer to get the kind of lighting colour they wanted. For mh user, they have to be happy with what they got out of the mh bulb. They might have to supplement with T5 actinic to get close to the colour spectrum they wanted to achieve.

e) ?

Altum lover76, take a look at this link.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1119604




BlackBRUSHalgae, I agree with the larger sizes of the diamond reflector. Serious planted tank hobbyist would need to find a way to cover up the diamond reflector but looking at the link, the diamond reflector is definitely a highly functioning item.

[StanChung]

Interesting read, not sure I understand what I read except the diamond reflectors gave the best readings for intensity.

The only problem I predict with the diamond reflector is the quality of light becomes very harsh. True?

[BFG]

Harsh as in........?

[David Moses Heng]

Neon, here's what I know.


Altum lover76, take a look at this link.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1119604

awesome........

[StanChung]

Harsh as in........?

Deep, sharp shadows , as opposed to flat lighting commonly found with fluorescent lighting.

Harsh lighting gives the the ripple effect. I'm just asking if the diamond reflector would enhance the harsh lighting effect.

[BFG]

Sorry StanChung, I do not know the answer to that question. I have not tried using mh before. However, here is a thread of a local reefer using the diamond reflector.

http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/inde...howtopic=55130

[valice]

Rohaizal, need to log in to read the thread.

[michael lai]

Deep, sharp shadows , as opposed to flat lighting commonly found with fluorescent lighting.

Harsh lighting gives the the ripple effect. I'm just asking if the diamond reflector would enhance the harsh lighting effect.

I believe so, have just started to use MH ( normal reflector )on a 4 footer. The reflections were all over the ceiling. shadows and temperature were some of the initial observations. I suspended mine 1 feet above the tank, there was a increase of 2-3 degrees. Will observe the electrical bill and share with you guys later.

[StanChung]

I believe the surface area of the tank is important for dispersal of heat. I have come to that conclusion because for my 5x2 tank no prob with heat with just one fan.[2x150mh + 4x36W pl -8 hours daily] 26-28C depending on day. Now that i want the growth to be slow, it's 6 hours daily. Still trying to get another timer to do noon burst to further save electricity. [I need stuff that works with 220-240V not 100V! argh!]

Mine is about 14" above tank. too high [glaring for living room when sitting]