MH plus PC or VHO (or both)?

[RyanH]

I recently bought a 90g reef ready tank. I am in the process of planning everything out. I ordered my RO/DI unit and some ESV Oolitic sand.

The next issue i'm addressing is lighting. It came with 2 x 175w MH (10,000K) and 2 x 55w PC (currently blue). I also have an IceCap 660 that currently isn't being used.

I plan on having mainly LPS, but eventually want to add some SPS and clams.

I'm thinking about changing the PC's to 6700, 7100 or 10,000 (any suggestions?) and additing VHO actinics.

Any comments or suggestions about how to set things up with the stuff I have would be greatly appreciated.

Ryan

 

[Anonymous]

Welcome Ryan!!

Sounds like you have all the bases covered with lighting! How long is your tank?

 

[RyanH]

Thanks for the reply. It is 48x18x24. A single corner overflow built in.

I have been reading voraciously and this message board is amazing. I have finally found a productive use for the internet. LOL

Any input on the best combination of lighting would be much appreciated. I have all three types so I might as well optimize it. Thanks again.

 

[nm]

I too would like to know .
Currently running 250watt 6500k MH and 3 24inch Normal output actenics.
Thinking of purchasing 660 icecap to run 2 VHO actenics with the 6500k MH.
Good idea???
Tank contain mostly soft corals plus a montipoa frag, bubble coral, cup coral, gorgonians... aquarium size 30x30x24deep.

 

[6_line]

definitely go with the Icecap VHO actinic.
I'm running 2x250 Iwasakis plus 2-110 VHO on a 660, this on a 90 RR. Beautiful..

 

[pathos]

excellent idea i'd say. I run (1) 250w 10K MH with (2) x 36" PC (1 white, 1 actinic) and (2) x 36" VHO URI's (1 aquasun, 1 super actinic). The color rendition is amazing. With all 3 types you should have the whole spectrum covered - you can grow anything you like.

 

[nm]

Thank you. It looks like I'll be getting that icecap!!!!

 

[gobi 1]

Ryan,

I too would recommend the use of the Ice cap ballast. They can't be beat for flourescent, I did have a problem with this ballast for MH though. I believe it had something to do with the line voltage at the recepticle. I currently run a Ushio 175 with two 50/50 URI's over my 40 reef, and love it. HTH


gobi 1

 

[bowfront]

One more vote for hooking up that IceCap and using it to power a couple of URI actinics. If you want to keep the pc's I would load them with 6700 K's. If you want to conserve on wiring and ballasts you could leave out the pc's and run 3 or 4 VHO bulbs with the 660 to complement your MH bulbs. Either way you'll have plenty of light IMO.

[ September 20, 2001: Message edited by: bowfront ]