Stay with VHO or go MH??

Frogger · 12-23-2005, 05:57 PM

Need help deciding what lighting to go with. Currently running icecap 660 with two actinics and two whites. The bulbs are over a year old now and it's obviously time to replace. I'm deciding wether or not to replace bulbs or go Metal halide.

Currently, I have 2 large toadstools, 2 cabbage's, 1 finger leather, 1 candy cane, 1 large brown frogspawn, 1 small green frogspawn, 1 hammer and alot of shrooms. I don't plan on getting much more for a while.

Thanks for your input.

110galreef · 12-23-2005, 06:40 PM

If you have the money I would keep two pf the VHO and get two MH.
Deepeding on size and depth will predicate the wattage!

But MH is sooooooooooooooooo much nicer appearing light!!!!!

coralfreak · 12-23-2005, 07:18 PM

I have almost the same corals as you and I jump from PC to MH and I will never go back. I have a 2x150w HQI with 2x130w pc dual actinics current usa outer orbit fixture, that's more than enough light for softies, zoos, lps and a crocea clam. They just love the light but it's a pain in the azz to acclimate them.

tims · 12-23-2005, 07:34 PM

i agree, stay with what you have and add to it with the MH, you will love the look ( and so will the tank)

Frogger · 12-23-2005, 08:09 PM

ok, thanks for the advice. Next question....can I run only two tubes off the icecap 660 instead of 4. If so, what color temp combination should I use? like 10k MH and two actinic vho's or what? thanks for the advice!

three90s&125sump · 12-23-2005, 08:27 PM

Yes you can run 2 tubes off the 660 but I would keep all 4 tubes and add 2 MH to it. Run 4 actinics and get 2 10k MH bulbs. or run 4 50/50 VHOs and 14K MHs. or run 4 super daylights a 20k MH. Its really just personal preferance.

110galreef · 12-23-2005, 09:18 PM

I would start with two 10K MH and use the two actinics. If you want some more blue run the other two flourec as actinics. Again you'll have to play with it till you get exactly what you want!

Color liking is all subjective.

Frogger · 12-24-2005, 08:10 AM

thanks everyone for the input!

Frogger · 12-24-2005, 08:37 AM

does anyone have some pics of what a setup with MH and 4 VHO bulbs would look like? I'm going to build another hood because mine doesn't allow enough space. I'm having a hard time thinking of a way to fit the MH between the tubes. It will be on a standard 48 inch hood on an 80 gallon.

also, would 2 250's be too much or should i go with 2 175's? I really want to go with an elect ballast like icecap. I missed marinedepot's thanksgiving sale where they were only like 97 bucks new. anyone have some good sites with good prices?

Thanks again

VWD · 12-24-2005, 08:50 AM

I would run the actinics with 2 Iwasaki 6500K bulbs,

tdwyatt · 12-24-2005, 09:05 AM

For a site with good pricine (and a great guy AND a TRT spnsor), Check with Doug at www.reeftanklighting.com , great pricing, and an awesome selection of add-on DIY stuff.

Contrary to what everyone else has posted, I would just get the new bulbs for now for the VHO you have . For the creatures you're keeping in the tank, VHO is great lighting, is relatively inexpensive, uses less electricity, and is already in place in your system. Although the MH look is crisp and white with the right bulb and reflector selection, it may be a bit of overkill for what you've listed in your tank. If you decide you want to change your biotope or you desire to get more light-needy specimens, then start thinking MH. Many things will change in your tank when you up the output of your lighting, everything from which understudies will do well to what your coralline speciation (colors) and coverage will look like. VHO lighting is very much what we expect at about 3 to 5 meters down in a turbid lagoon, and the speciation of most of the creatures in your system now is based on this lighting and your current circulation. Making the lighting change will change this setting to something nearer the surface. Such a change in biotope will also require better circulation, so there are more issues here than meet the eye initially.

Much to consider!

HTH

110galreef · 12-24-2005, 09:47 AM

My vote is for the MH just because it is so much nicer appearing light.

I had 520w of PC on my 110 and switched to 2 175w MH and 2 110w VHO. The way the MH's create a shimmering effect is so much nicer. HUGE IMPROVEMENT

True that the bulbs you have are plenty for what you have, but if you have some $$ I say get two 175w MH's and just use two of the VHO's.

Again as everyones states....it is preference. So is coloring.

Some light crisp white, some like a little bluish, some like real blue..

More info for you to pick your brain. This site is great and has a SUPER ABUNDABCE of Info!

TimmyG · 12-26-2005, 08:39 AM

Tom Has a good point.
While the MH will be brighter it will also cost more to run and then you may have heat issues. Any you said you'd have to get another hood.
I'd replace the VHOs and then if you don't like the look you can upgrade later.
Going from OLD VHOs to MH will also be a little stressful for your corals too.

There are some awesome tanks out there that are only lit by VHOs.

Doug1 · 12-26-2005, 01:25 PM

I agree with Tom, unless you really want the MH look, why spend the money, get 4 new VHO bulbs and put one new daylight in, after 3 days change out one of the actinics, repeat after 4-5 days, easier on the tank and a lot less money