Halides

I'm really liking the T5's that I have currently, but I'm curious about Metal Halides. I was considering doing a DIY / pendant setup. If I had say, a 150 / 250 watt... would I need actinics as well, or does the halide pretty well cover all my needs? Some of the nice expensive setups I've seen have actinic T5's with the halides... also, how long would it be recommended to leave the bulb on, so as to not burn my critters?

 

I dont have halides but I have always read to supplement actinics with T5's or VHO.

 

With the T5's I have 10,000k daylights and actinics. I've seen some halides without actinics, but I'm not sure if that's a special bulb, etc. I don't want to spend $60 on the wrong bulb - and if I need to plan to have a way to mount actinics I need to know as well.

 

with your tank only 30 gallons. you don't need halides. and you would have heat issues. if you want one i wouldn't get anything above a 150.
most people do like actinics with there halides but it isn't necessary IMO. just buy a good bulb for the halide.

 

If I were to pick up a 150 watt HQI pendant - what bulb would be recommended?

 

I've seen some folks with 14k, some with 18k, etc - which would be preferred? I would like my tank to have a nice glow to it, and I'm thinking 150 watt HQI - it looks like I can find some nice looking DIY reflectors, ballasts, etc. and put together a decent system for around $200.

I'm considering this as some people say you can do some clams under T5's, but I'd rather not have the worry or risk it. Once I upgrade to my 75G I plan to do 2 150 watt pendants.

 

Anything 14k or higher kelvin rating will give you the blue that you want from the actinics. The 10k bulbs are a little on the white side IMO, but typically have better par ratings, but you won't be in any trouble there with a 30g.

 

Awesome. I think I'll do 14k. How long is it recommended to leave them on?

I currently have my actinics turn on at 6:30AM, daylights turn on at 9:00am, daylights shut down at 6:30pm, actinics shut down at 8:30pm. What's recommended for MH so my critters don't get crispied?

 

I run my Halides for 8 hours/day. Some i've seen do 10 hours/day. It depends on your personal schedule, but since I am not usually around during the day i like to have my lights come on at noon and off at 10pm so I can enjoy the tank while I am home. The fish don't know what time it is

 

on my 36 gal set up I run halides and antics 12 hours of antics and 10.5 hours of halides the bulb temp is 10 k kelvin. I have yet to burn any of my coral and the only thing that has got burnt was some corline but it soon grew back. The antics are a good way to wake everybody up before you blast them with the halides. Good luck.