How long to run my halides and how high? No par meter

[ReefDestroyer38592]

Hi all I just switched to 250w Radium with an electronic ballast in a Lumatek Elite fixture. I’ve honestly seen the most growth I’ve ever seen in one week.
Im just curious how high should I hang them above the water and how long? The acros are around 13” beneath the waterline. The tank dimensions: 24x24x18

 

[LordofCinder]

My MH is about 10” up from the water. I run it 8 hours a day. I also have 2 Orphek bars with it that I run an hour in the morning and 3 hours at night ( before and after the MH period)

but I would suggest you start around maybe 3 or 4 hours a day, and increase half hour every week or two weeks, something like that, or you will cook your acros

 

[Graemesreef]

If it helps ours are 14 off the top of the reef and 30 off the sand bed and I can pretty much grow anything anywhere. They run from 11 -7 with leds on before and after. You might have to adjust your time depending on your tank's temp though?

 

[ReefDestroyer38592]

If it helps ours are 14 off the top of the reef and 30 off the sand bed and I can pretty much grow anything anywhere. They run from 11 -7 with leds on before and after. You might have to adjust your time depending on your tank's temp though?

That makes sense. Do you know how much par you’re getting?

 

[ReefDestroyer38592]

I’m running them 8 hours but might be too close to water at 6”

 

[Graemesreef]

That makes sense. Do you know how much par you’re getting?

No I've just been running 250s forever so I guess I just have a feel for it.

 

[Graemesreef]

I

I’m running them 8 hours but might be too close to water a

Honestly I would drop mine a little lower if I wasn't swimming in there all the time. I should say so no confusion 10 off water, 14 off top of the reef, and 30 off sand bed.

 

[ReefDestroyer38592]

I

Honestly I would drop mine a little lower if I wasn't swimming in there all the time. I should say so no confusion 10 off water, 14 off top of the reef, and 30 off sand bed.

Ok I’m currently at 8” so an extra 2” high would probably give better coverage. The par seems to drop off on the sides.

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

Not familiar with the Lumatek, but I have dual 250w Reef Brite MH and I run them 10 inches from the surface of the water.

I wasn't burning down any PAR numbers at 10 inches, but everything was fine. If you're seeing growth and everything is happy, then I would leave it where you have it.

 

[A. grandis]

Hi all I just switched to 250w Radium with an electronic ballast in a Lumatek Elite fixture. I’ve honestly seen the most growth I’ve ever seen in one week.
Im just curious how high should I hang them above the water and how long? The acros are around 13” beneath the waterline. The tank dimensions: 24x24x18

Forget about PAR! You can go up to 8 hours a day without supplementation. Adapt the coals slowly, specially if they are coming from LEDs. 10 to 12" above the water surface is fine. The growth you are witnessing is actually very similar to the normal natural growth of the corals in the ocean! The natural pigment production and colony formation will be amazing under halides. There is nothing that can produce the same results. Your corals will love you forever!!!!!! Happy for you! Pics, please!

 

[Turd Ferguson]

I run mine (250W 14k) 18" off the surface of a 40G tank for 6 hours a day, supplemented by Reefbrite 50/50 XHO and a Actinic XHO light strip

Close to the waters surface I measured about 750/850 range, 250/300 on the sandbed.

Should probably boost it to 7 hrs on...

 

[Guttersnipe]

Thank you for asking this question and getting some replies.
I asked this question in another metal halide thread and the response is you need to get a par meter.

 

[archercorals]

I think recommendations use to be 8-12” above water and 6-10 hours.

 

[Troylee]

Mine are 10” off the tank and run for 6 hours now with radions on 3 hours before and after for a total of 12 hour photo period. 6 hours of mh at high noon.

 

[ReefDestroyer38592]

I’m currently at 10” above water and 8 hours long. Seems to be good enough.

 

[jmichaelh7]

I started 18” now about 14” . They do pretty well with acclimation it’s not like LED where you have to worry about burning tips etc