SPS under VHOs

[bleedingthought]

Hey guys, I was wondering if I would be successful in keeping purple/orange digis and green slimers in my tank.

They would obviously be high up and close to the light but I just wanted to know what you guys thought about them keeping the coloration up under my 440Ws.

And while I'm at it, what are some other SPSs that would fare well under my lights?

Thanks in advance!

 

[SnowManSnow]

i would try it.. but ima risk taker haha.

b

 

[Anonymous]

First, make sure your current, calcium, alk and nutrient parameters are in check, lighting is only part of the equation. Then get a frag or two and see how they do. Many failures with these animals stem from poor current or other problems rather than not enough light.

While in theory it's the intensity of the light that matters, not the type of bulb....I've experimented with and seen quite a few setups, but all the best SPS tanks that I've personaly seen, including my own have one thing in common - metal halides. I'm not saying I haven't seen SPS tanks with VHO, I'm just saying non of them come close to the best Metal Halide setups. Having said that, some species are less demanding than others, Monitis for instance.

Get your other ducks in a row first, then try a digita or encrusting monti and see how they do.

Jim

 

[Anonymous]

I have had sucess with montis and caps under VHO. They need to be high up.

 

[bleedingthought]

I defnitely wouldn't want to turn my setup into a SPS tank, just wanted to try a couple and see how they do. After all, I'm a sucker for LPS anyways.

And Jim, going back to your advice, I do keep my alk and calcium in check by using Bionic and plan to use a DIY 2 part additive recipe once that runs out. Would manually maintaining those (instead of a reactor) allow me to keep a couple of SPS still?

My flow is something I've been constantly messing with... By then, I should have enough.

Thank you!

 

[Anonymous]

I've seen others with VHO tanks, IMO if you're running 440 watts of VHO (or if you're making a choice of lighting) you might as well go with 2 -250w MH bulbs. I realize you already have the lighting setup, but it's something to kind of think of if you start thinking about going more into light hungry plants. And as Jim said, lighting is only a small part of keeping SPS. If you don't have an alkalinity or calcium test kit I wouldn't touch SPS, also if you don't do regular water changes with a good salt (ie one with good calcium and alkalinity) you better be prepared to dose calcium & alk.

 

[Anonymous]

Here is a 30" tall tank light with 440 watt VHO.

Thread

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=39171

 

[bleedingthought]

I've seen others with VHO tanks, IMO if you're running 440 watts of VHO (or if you're making a choice of lighting) you might as well go with 2 -250w MH bulbs. I realize you already have the lighting setup, but it's something to kind of think of if you start thinking about going more into light hungry plants. And as Jim said, lighting is only a small part of keeping SPS. If you don't have an alkalinity or calcium test kit I wouldn't touch SPS, also if you don't do regular water changes with a good salt (ie one with good calcium and alkalinity) you better be prepared to dose calcium & alk.

Yeah, I will go with MH sooner or later. The way I figured, I was good to go with the VHOs so I could keep the temp down (hot here in GA!), see how I handled non SPSs, spend a little less money, and when I do upgrade to MH I already have VHO actinics.

Alk is at 8 dKH and Calcium is at 400 PPM. I'm halfway through a coralife bucket of salt because I was trying it out but I usually use Instant Ocean. I am dosing calcium and alk. Anything to worry about?

 

[bleedingthought]

Here is a 30" tall tank light with 440 watt VHO.

Thread

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=39171

Wazzel, how did your SPS colors hold up?

 

[Unarce]

You'll be fine with VHO's. The only issue would be depth, as some might not color up at the bottom. Still, there are deepwater acros that you can place in those parts.

There are even some limited edition pieces that would prefer it (i.e. purple monster, lokani, GARF bonsai).

Have fun!

 

[Anonymous]

I never had problems with color or growth. The only thing that I was hamperd with was the depth I could place the SPS. The orange cap was as deep as I could go. That was for digis and caps. Other SPS had to be kept on the top.

 

[Anonymous]

FYI 440 watts of vhos will heat up your water just as much as 440 watts of metal halides, now there could be some variations with the temperature of the individual bulbs, but as long as you have a ventilated canopy that usually isn't that big of a contributing factor.

 

[SnowManSnow]

not sure how much you're planning on spending.. but if its gonna be around $400 you can get a Hamilton Reffstar 400w de mh pendant and blub for that at www.exoticfish.com


Just thought Id let you know.

b

 

[Anonymous]

Bleeding..... already has the lights, not looking to make a new purchase.

 

[Anonymous]

FYI 440 watts of vhos will heat up your water just as much as 440 watts of metal halides, now there could be some variations with the temperature of the individual bulbs, but as long as you have a ventilated canopy that usually isn't that big of a contributing factor.

I found my 250 watt MH was a lot hotter right under the bulb than a 110 VHO. I could work under the 440 wat VHO spread with no problem, but working under the single 250 watt MH got uncomfortable after a while due to the heat.

 

[pwj1286]

Yes, montis do well under that lighting. Try it out. I grew a large colony of digi and cap under 440 watts of VHO in my old 55.

The purple digi will not be PURPLE as you want it.
_________________
Hero Honda Hunk

 

[Anonymous]

I found my 250 watt MH was a lot hotter right under the bulb than a 110 VHO. I could work under the 440 wat VHO spread with no problem, but working under the single 250 watt MH got uncomfortable after a while due to the heat.

Yes a single MH bulb will make quite a bit of heat near the bulb, I'm not refuting that, but I'm saying that a majority of tank heating up comes from light energy going into the tank not from the heat of the bulb (as long as you have a properly ventillated hood, of course 250w of vho won't put as much light into a tank as 250w of MH (usually)

 

[bleedingthought]

Like Mark said, I'm set with my lights right now.

Guys, thanks a lot for all the help and advice! I'm going to go ahead and try the green slimer, the orange digi, and the orange cap. (the monti cap is actually from a certain someone around here... You around, Chris? :wink: ) All three will be small frags, so we'll see how they grow and all. I'll keep everyone posted with my success! (or lack of... but hopefully not. )

Again, thank you everyone!

 

[Anonymous]

I do have the frag ready to go. Or frags I should say. They will be fine with VHO, they may not color as well as under MH but you should have no probs growing them.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm running 660W VHO on my 90 and having luck with some SPS.
Pink/Green monti cap

Not a very good pic but some monit (I think). Purple on the left. Green on the right

Acro