I finally saw the light! ;)

[Aine]

Hello all!
I haven't been posting in my initial thread, so here's a new one.
My 29g biocube had been running fine for over a year when I started to have a few issues. I'd never been able to keep zoas, as they always melted, except for the few green ones I had left. Also, my corals really started to show signs of fatigue. I thought the light was becoming green, even if I had changed the bulbs. Still, my params were spot on.  So, finally, I gave in: I purchased a Sunpod (metal halides) and I had it replace the stock hood.
It's been a few weeks, now, and I've never done a better thing for my tank.
All my corals are thriving, even the few zoas I had have multiplied. My BTAs are really pleased too... 
I even purchased my first SPS and clam!

So, overall, I'm sold to MH lighting!

I'll post pictures soon!

[tskinner]

Did you guy with 150 or 250 Watt?

[Aine]

I got a 150, as my tank is not very big... I also didn't want to overdo it because of the heat the MH give out.
It seems to be plenty of light, and my water stays at 78 at the surface on normal days. On über warm days (which do not seem to be common this year ), I put frozen water bottles in the back, and it does the trick.

[Tyler.L]

i got my 250w pendant a couple weeks ago and hung it and just waiting to pick up my ballast....on a 24g aquapod...that will be overkill but it will be awsome. Halide always over powers any lighting....go halides!

[tskinner]

i got my 250w pendant a couple weeks ago and hung it and just waiting to pick up my ballast....on a 24g aquapod...that will be overkill but it will be awsome. Halide always over powers any lighting....go halides!

I run a 70 Watt Sunpod on a 5.5 Gal and I've seen acouple 10 gallons with 150 Watt.

[gerryo]

   I've been planning my lighting for my future 54g corner and with Aine saying her thing on halides I guess I am convinced too.

I'm new to the forums and reefing but not too old to learn new tricks.

[sniggir]

yea I have a 250w over mine with a sweet reflector....no dead spots...woooot... but I am heavy on the sps glad to heat that you are enjoying your new toy...once ya go halide is hard to go back....lol thus the duel 400w over my 65 gal

[Aine]

Wow, maybe I over-evaluated the heat that could come from these lights... Doesn't anyone have these issues? Or do you guys have a chiller?
I only have a bird's nest for now as a sps, and the polyps are always out, so it must be pleased... And my clam is always open during the day. So I think I'm giving enough light for now...
Also, did anyone have the "greening" effect of PC lighting? Was that normal, or could it have been my hood that wasn't working well?
Anyways, I'm glad to have gotten rid of it! (Although one of the consequences is that I have to put egg crate to prevent my parrot from jumping in when she's out... )

Cheers!