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So is a single 250w with some NO actinic OK to start with.What K should I get If I go this way?


I have the LFS watching for a used setup but so far I have only come across O whole reef tank for sale.

K Thanks!

a single MH will effectively cover a 2 ft by 2ft area...with the 75 gallon being 4 ft long, I would also recommend two MH bulbs over the tank. If you dont use 2 bulbs, you will have a foot on both sides of the tank that is lower light, and it will be noticable...the shadow will also be pretty bad.

75g Reason I ask is ....One of the major on line sales sites told me I had to go with two bulbs on a 75 or the shadow would look bad .The quote was $340 for a PFO 175w 2 bulb retro fit kit.10k bulbs if I remember right.

What size tank again?

Also, the brace will cast a little shadow, but most of the time its not that bad.

"BUMP"

If I only use one bulb will the center brace cast a shadow?

As for cost, in the end, you will spend much more for the VHOs than the MH. You will be replacing the VHOs 3 times more than with the MH. The recomendation for VHO replacement is every 6 months. Where as the MH are recomended every 12-18 months. The VHos will pull just as much power as the MH, so the energy requirements will be the same.

If you will be using a NO actinic with the MH, I would go with a 10K MH bulb. As the actinic will give you all the blue for your tank. No need to go bluer with the MH. And the 10K will give you a better spectrum to help your corals grow.

As for the ripple effect, it is as DRO there has stated. Not just for the look, but gives flashes of highly concentrated light. The look is also a really neat thing to watch. If you don't like the look though, or don't care for the look, then just place two bulbs over the tank. This will eliminate most of the ripple effect, and spread the light out to more areas of the tank.

HTH.....

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...

Checking on lights I found Champiom Lighting.They have some VHO tank shots that look pretty nice.I know that MH is the preferred lighting but check out those tanks.

Last edited by fishheadfred at 02-Mar-2005 04:35http://www.championlighting.com/e/env/0001l2yBKJBbbCkkOg7F5g3/index2.html?link=/index2.html

Last edited by fishheadfred at 02-Mar-2005 04:36

That should be fine....What K of bulb you go with depends on the look that you want. If it was my tank, I would go with either 14K, or 20K....but I like the blue look.







[hr width='40%']I’m here without you baby, but you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby, and I dream about you all the time
I’m here without you baby, but you're still with me in my dreams…

I have a budget of about $350 for lights.I will be purchasing them in the next month.I can't decide between the Ice Cap 440w vho retofit set or the Ice Cap 250w MH spider light wich I can supplement with the 80w NO actnic I have now.
Any thoughts?

The ripple effect is not just a visual benefit.....every ripple has an increased intensity of light. The benefit is higher light.

On the type issue I can't decide wether or not the rippeled look of Mh is worth the Price and long term cost!

It is for sure. metal halide lights let you keep anything that you want, especially beatiful SPS like acroporas. (Can you tell how my tank is being set up? )

You cant regreat MH. There shouldn't ever be anything that you can't buy b/c your lighting isn't good enough if you go with the halides. It's worth the investment IMO. You'll be glad you did it.


[hr width='40%'][font color="#000080"]"I know that you are something special, To you I'd be always faithful
I want to be what you always needed, Then I hope you'll see the heart in me"[/font]

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Look for used stuff.

I got dual 250 watt MH's with everything I needed for $250.

I have used almost every available source of light that is made for aquariums....

MH is def. the way to go IMO. Yes it does cost more to start up, but the benefits are huge.

I will never set up a tank without MH again, unless it is being set up for the sole purpose of low light/no light creatures.

No, I don't, I have all VHO. As for quality, I use comercial grade, they look like cr*p but are built like tanks. My ballest weights a ton, but will last for years. I mount all my ballests away from the tank and run wire to the lights.

Dan


Dan

Do you have any MH Dan.

Yeah I looked at several sights and have compared prices.I am betting that with this also you get what you pay for.On the other hand I think it was Calfo that said Ice Cap is over rated,Who ever said this was saying that he wasn't sure that you are not just paying for the name.Ice does have a good reputation though.

On the type issue I can't decide wether or not the rippeled look of Mh is worth the Price and long term cost!I have seen the IC 440w setup on and it looks great.

Any recommendations on setups,types or places to purchase from are welcome.

Have you looked at http://www.hellolights.com/index.html for good prices? Now, VHO lights will give you very uniform lighting across the tank, where MH will give you concentrated light. Think of it at HM is a spot light, and VHO is a flood light. What do you feel is better for your tank? Personally, I went with VHO to give even lighting across a 6' tank.

Dan


Dan