Lighting Options

[maimz]

Hey all....ive really been struggling over what to get in the way of lighting for my tank...i have a few questions to start with...

1. Why VHO over NO?

2. Would it be an option ot get a MH instead of VHO and then use NO?

3. Are NO not necessary when using VHO

4. What are the light needs of the following:
- FOWLR
- anenomes
- corals - will VHO do? or only MH?

5. I need to know what each type of light does in a reef setup. I also just heard somewhere that actinic is just for viewing pleasure and does nothing for growth or well being of the occupants in a tank...

The main issue is that if i were to get a system that i would not have to upgrade much i would rather do that....i figure the VHOs are the same as MH with regards to ballast price ..actually cheaper than a icecap ballast in most cases....so if i can forget about VHO and get MH then i might do that, granted that im not going to be doing anything too stupid. if i were to do this though what woudl be the downfalls and benefits to such a system.

thanks

[maimz]

i forgot to ask one more question.....what is the general rule with watts/gallon? and how does tank depth affect lighting?

[Mitchell]

miamz

Im not a lighting expert but I will tell you what I know.

Vho is chosen over NO for wattage.
4-48" NO=160 watts
4-48" VHO=440 watts

VHO bulbs are much more expensive but I like the light output they give.
Guys have also been overpowering NO bulbs and they discuss it here
http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=186

You could go with NO and halides, yes

If you are using VHO I have seen somepeople using NO atinics as well as VHO atinics

FOWLR- NO bulbs
Anenomes- I used vho, they seemed to like the intence light
Corals-Softies- NO will do-VHO will be better
SPS/LPS- VHO and or MH or a combination of both

Atinics are needed they are definatly not just for viewing pleasure.

My recomendation would be the VHO's then add MH when you can afford them

[afss]

For the money, and if you are a DIY type i would recomend trying the overdrive NO. I have just finished setting uo 2 OVRNO's over my 90 gallon. The total cost excluding time( i enjoy doing things like this so i don't factor in time) was +/- $125.00 cnd for the two balasts, the wiring, end caps, mounts, and the two bulbs one actinic, the other a 6500k from HD. I think this is a great set up, and plan on adding atleast one more 6500K bulb (which should cost me around 45 cnd and put me up to a total of 240 watts. I have only been running this system for about a week, but think its great so far, as long as the bubl life will go 6 month or so i figure its great.

Mitch you'll have to drop by and tell me what you think of them, and how they compare to your set up, give me a call when you're available.

Scott

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

In general, if you can afford to put MV or MH lighitng in to your tank, then you should. They are not much more expensive than VHOs - equipment cost. The OVRNO stuff is a DIY oasis, but it does work really well -- I am keeping an acropora under mine and they seem fine and polps are out.

But, I really like these two :

1. 250W HQI -- lets just say, you can keep almost anything with this stuff.
2. 250W MV Iwasaki (type R) - another great one, but cheaper than #1.

Can't go wrong with these two. How about MH ? Well...it really depends on the bulb and that's the problem. In general, you can get as good or better results from #1 and #2 even with the best MH bulb.

- Victor.

[maimz]

hey reefin geek you mentioned that:

"You could go with NO and halides, yes"

"If you are using VHO I have seen somepeople using NO atinics as well as VHO atinics"

did you by any chance mean:

"if you are using MH .....using NO actinics as well as VHO actinics"
sorry i find this confusing..

thanks for the tips..its been great so far...

:santa1:
merry christmas everyone!

[maimz]

well right now given the cost of an icecap and the fact that i do watn to get setup right from the getgo i would like to setup a metal halide system..since it is only marginally more expensive to get a 400w over the 250 watt i am going to go that route...

some qu's:

what kelvin is optimum? the sunmaster cool deluxe is in the range of 5000 - 6500K(138 par watts and 80 000 lumens) and the aquarium deluxe bulb that is sold at the same location is rated at 5500K....what other spectrums are needed?

what other spectrums do these choices leave out and what is my best bet when looking at NO bulbs etc. for spectrums?

also..can MH be placed overtop of fluoros without causing the endcaps to melt or crack? thanks

also...for $260 im getting the ballast and reflector with the ballast that is enclosed into the reflector..the brand is hydrosun and i am gettting it from homegrown hydroponics....

thanks alot guys