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10-09-2002, 09:20 PM
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#1
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Plankton
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: S.W. Ontario, Canada
Posts: 30
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My 1st post,LIGHTING QUESTION
Hello everyone
The names MINIATUS, a 90gal reef tank is my game. Really seriously, my question has to do with upgrading my lights. Right now I am running 4-110watt URIs driven by an Icecap660. Running 2-super actinics and 2- actinic whites. with 3 more tubes what would a good ratio be on the type of tubes. And do you think 770 watts will be enough for most corals.
Can Clams be kept under this light system. 
MINIATUS 
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10-09-2002, 09:39 PM
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#2
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Good boy
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Marietta, GA, USA
Posts: 7,889
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Hi Miniatus. Welcome to TRT.
I'm not sure about the clams but you could keep almost any coral you want with the lighting you currently have if you switched the bulbs to Aquasuns.
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10-09-2002, 09:48 PM
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#3
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Plankton
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: S.W. Ontario, Canada
Posts: 30
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Just the actinic whites or all of them. i was thinking 3 super actinics and not sure on the others. never seen the aqua sun in action. Are they more intense than actinic whites and what is there K rating.
Tanks in advance 
MINIATUS
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10-09-2002, 10:15 PM
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#4
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Good boy
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Marietta, GA, USA
Posts: 7,889
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Quote:
Originally posted by MINIATUS
Just the actinic whites or all of them. i was thinking 3 super actinics and not sure on the others. never seen the aqua sun in action. Are they more intense than actinic whites and what is there K rating.
Tanks in advance
MINIATUS
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The aquasuns are more intense than the other URI bulbs. I'm not sure of their color temp. You could play around with different combinations and see what works best. I wouldn't spend the money to go with another VHO setup. If you're going to add anything then add halides.
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10-10-2002, 02:41 AM
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#5
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Ghost of reefers past
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Southern Oregon, Way West of Dimples ;)
Posts: 25,141
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My Aquasuns are 6500K but I gotta ask you why not go with a dual PFO Metal Halide ballast driving at least 6500K Iwasakis rather than adding another Icecap ballast and more bulbs
Dont get me wrong I have Icecap VHO and I love them but the light has some liitations, esp in a deep tank
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10-10-2002, 07:40 AM
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#6
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Plankton
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: S.W. Ontario, Canada
Posts: 30
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Mainly because the canopy is not that tall to hold MHs without major adjustments. 2nd I own the two ballast already and would like to use them. Hopefully Some where down the road, Halides might happen, but at the value of the Canadian buck right now, I don't know if Its feasible.
Thanks again
MINIATUS
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10-10-2002, 08:04 AM
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#7
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Administrator
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Medicine Lake, MN
Posts: 3,021
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I'm with Rick on this one. Try a couple of the aquasun bulbs. You might want to try two of those and 2 actinic whites. Or 2 aquasun, 1 actinic white, and one full actinic. I think you'll be pleasantly suprised at how much brighter the tank will look with the full daylight bulbs.
I wouldn't keep clams or sps under this lighting, but you should be able to keep a good variety of sofites and lps.
Welcome to TRT!
Brooke
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Be kind to your reef! Research care and compatibility of animals before purchasing.<br><a href="http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?threa
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10-10-2002, 08:15 AM
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#8
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Plankton
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: S.W. Ontario, Canada
Posts: 30
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So as I see it 2 aquasuns and 2 white actinic on the one ballast and 3 super actinic on the other ballast. Correct me if im wrong 
Thanks again
MINIATUS
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10-10-2002, 08:20 AM
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#9
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AKA Douglas Lowey
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Canadian
Posts: 592
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I ran 4- 50/50 bulbs on one 660 ballast and a pair of actinics on the other 660.
Perfect combination of colour for me. Still intense, yet a nice actinic colour. My friend is now running those exact bulbs on his 120.
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Doug
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10-10-2002, 05:00 PM
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#10
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Good boy
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Marietta, GA, USA
Posts: 7,889
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Well since you already have the ballast......  This is just my opinon but I prefer the white over the blue. I would prolly go with (4) aquasun and (3) actinic. I don't really see the point in using 50/50 when you have (7) bulbs.
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10-10-2002, 05:11 PM
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#11
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Plankton
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: S.W. Ontario, Canada
Posts: 30
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Thanks Rick
I think your suggestion is the way to go. One more question, I have 3 -50/50s and 3 super actinic right now, so by buying 1 aquasun I could slowly change it over till I have 4 aqua suns. Don't want to waste the 50/50s. I've heard people say to change your lighting that quick can cause problem with corals adapting. Your opinion would be most welcome. 
MINIATUS
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10-10-2002, 05:15 PM
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#12
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Good boy
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Marietta, GA, USA
Posts: 7,889
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Quote:
Originally posted by MINIATUS
Thanks Rick
I think your suggestion is the way to go. One more question, I have 3 -50/50s and 3 super actinic right now, so by buying 1 aquasun I could slowly change it over till I have 4 aqua suns. Don't want to waste the 50/50s. I've heard people say to change your lighting that quick can cause problem with corals adapting. Your opinion would be most welcome.
MINIATUS
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Your plan sounds good. I would continue to use any bulb you now have until it's been in for about a year then change them out one at a time.
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10-10-2002, 07:30 PM
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#13
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Administrator
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Medicine Lake, MN
Posts: 3,021
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oops...my bulb count wasn't quite right was it. I think Rick's suggestion is still good. You can always play around with it since you have the 50/50's and see what is pleasing to the eye. That's going to be a lot of VHO in a 4 foot tank. Don't forget a couple of fans for either side of the hood. It is going to get steamy in there!
Brooke
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10-10-2002, 07:34 PM
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#14
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Plankton
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: S.W. Ontario, Canada
Posts: 30
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I have 4-3in fans blowing agross the back of the canopy, which has a removable lid.
MINIATUS
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