The great light debate

T

tesfeld

Premium Member
[I currently have 4x110 VHO on my oceanic 115 (5' x 18" x 18"? ) Would adding 2x175 MH be enough total to raise sps and clams should I end up going that route? I'm trading off some 400's (unless I really need them to do sps) and was looking for 250's, but have an offer for 175's. Shying away from the 400's because of temperature. Save them till I can get a chiller? Opinions?

I'm reading up on the other MH thread for additional input.
Right now I've got several softies. Look for my post to come on the tank move and setup.

Thanks!]



Edited By tesfeld on 1084802870
 
[Tony, I would go with 250s for the price difference, the 175s are not much more than sticking with the vhos. If I had a 20-30 gallon tank, I might think about a 175 but not any tank much bigger.]
 
@tesfeld wrote:
[I currently have 4x110 VHO on my oceanic 115 (5' x 18" x 18"? ) Would adding 2x175 MH be enough total to raise sps and clams should I end up going that route? I'm trading off some 400's (unless I really need them to do sps) and was looking for 250's said:
[i've been very happy with the growth i've been getting in my SPS pieces under 250W lights. I'm currently using XM 20K bulbs and no VHO/Actinic supplementation. I've noticed a slight slow-down in the growth of my corals since switching from the 10Ks 3-4 weeks ago. Also, I'm not very happy with the coloration I've been getting with the 20K bulbs either. I don't think I would do anything smaller than 250s like Rick said, on your tank. I don't think it would be intense enough.]
Click to expand...
 
[Tony you dont say what kind of stand and canopy, if any, that you have. If for example you were going to suspend your lights in a pendant above an open tank you will not have heat issues to deal with. Even with an enclosed canopy it can be vented with computer type fans to greatly reduce heat. And a fan or two blowing on the sump can reduce water temps by up to several degrees as well. The ocean changes in temperature so dont worry about your tank fluctuating a few degrees. But if you are certain the water will consistently be above around 85 degrees you may want to look at a chiller. They are expensive though as they are really much like a window a/c unit except the water flows through it.]
 
[If the tank is really only 18" tall, and you use a 4" sand bed, you only have a depth of 14" to light. I'd go with the 175's to save on heat. Especially if you plan to keep the VHO's, leaves you a lot of options in color! 2, 6500K 175w MH's and change all 4 VHOs to an actinc, may have a nice look to it. 6500K bulbs are a lot cheaper to replace then 10k and 20k's, one advantage to running a nice flouro setup with them.

250's would work too but with the depth you have I don't think its a nessesary expense (extra $5 a month to run @ .04/watt, initial purchase, and possible extra cooling)

On the other hand...You already have 400's? Are they complete?

One thing you can try if so, hang 1, 400 about 18-24" above the tank. This should get you a 4' coverage with a good reflector. They will still heat the room :D If you can do some ductwork around and above the tank possibly into an attic or outside, I can tell you how to have that 400 give almost no heat off.]
 
[I'm posting a new thread soon with pics and details of moving the tank from DuaneD's house last weekend to mine. In the meantime, for this thread, please refer to his old old website for the dims and setup of the tank. I did NOT put a DSB back in this tank. The new SB is only about 2" vs his 5"

My new tank, his old site

I would just stick with the 400's but am not sure how the cabbage leather, misc sarcophytons, nepthea, and sinularia will react. I don't intend to do sps for probably 6-12 months but would like to get more intensity, color, and shimmer than the VHO's are giving me.]



Edited By tesfeld on 1084818547
 
[Gotta love this on Duane's site:

New pics! 12/10/01!

:laugh long: :laugh long: :laugh long:]
 
[DuaneD having baby = me having incredible tank with very old live rock and softies. Now, whether to duplicate his tank during its haydays. I still intend to post a relocation thread on the whole process.]
 
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