oceanic 30g...MH with t5 or VHO..

[autoponicz]

wasup guys...
im setting up a oceanic 30g cube soon...
dimensions are 20x18x21.
i will be transferring most of my corals into it...which is mostly sps and lps...
what i cant decide on is what kid of lighting should i go wit..
150w or 250w MH pendant?
right now im thinking of 1x150w pendant and 2 vho super actinics..
i would go t5's but all the bulbs are 24" and up..and the tank is only 20" long....uvl makes a 18" vho super actinic(30w) that will fit inside the hood...
i can also get 2 18" t5 ho from current and use a 24" retrofit kit
and cut the reflectors to fit...im guessing the ballast will overdrive the 18w bulbs a bit
anyone still use vho super actinics?....
thanks!

 

[DevIouS]

I have the 18's with a 150 HQI on my 20.
All LPS.

I wouldn't do 250 since you already mentioned your LPS don't like it

 

[autoponicz]

lol DVS...ill hide them under the rocks

which 18" are you talking about....vho or t5?

 

[DevIouS]

VHO's

 

[autoponicz]

your likes and dislikes about the light setup you have?

 

[DevIouS]

All good dude...
No complaints.
Didn't really need the VHO's with the Phoenix 14k bulb, but I prefer the "dusk / dawn" effect.
Not much options since it's a tight squeeze in the canopy. It's a plus that I don't need a reflector for the VHO's.

 

[autoponicz]

cool...
im planning to run a 14k phoenix too...i been using them and like them alot...
im also looking for the dawn dusk effect...but definately want some actinics to better coral pop

 

[lunner]

I have a similar planning but the tank is 20"x20"x12"

20" Nova Extreme Pro T5 6x18W
20" SunPod 150W
20" SunPod 250W

 

[autoponicz]

basically the MH is not a problem because i can do a pendant or a 20" sunpod...

its just that i want to add supplementaion for a 20" tank and theres not much options...just looking to see if anyone has a simliar setup with some ideas

 

[lunner]

So you going with 150 or 250?

 

[autoponicz]

im probrably gonna go with a 250w but still not sure yet....the tank is 21" tall and i plan to put the MH about 10" from the surface....i just dont know if 150w will go deep enough for the chalices/favias/acans at the bottom...im planning to do a sand bed on this tank so gotta consider that also...