Lighting Options for a 72 Gallon Bowfront

atoz1to4 · 01/29/2006, 07:15 PM

I have been trying to sort out my lighting for a FOWLR. The tank will be mostly fish (4-6 depending on type) only with enough live rock for the biological filtration. The tank is 48" long X 13" on the ends (18" in the middle) and 22" tall.

I have been considering the Icecap 660 vho w/ 4 bulbs. I think this maybe overkill though and now it seems like T5's maybe a better way to go? Anyhow I have listed my options any inputs would be much appreciated.

I am looking at the retro kits since I am building my own hood. I think I can upgrade the 430 ballast for a 660 and have room to grow if I only start with 2 bulbs.

Icecapp 660 VHO 4 bulb
Icecapp 430 VHO 2 bulb

Icecap 660 T5 4 bulb
Icecap 430 T5 2 bulb

Also any good suggestions for online purchase??

know-it-all · 01/29/2006, 09:01 PM

I've got (4) 36" vho's on mine
I could probably get 46.5" long bulbs under the hood

on each end, I use 100w screw-in pc bulbs (daylight 10k)
and they keep the corners very bright

I don't think you need to run (4) 48" bulbs for FO

as for online vendors, I got my ballast/endcaps off ebay for super cheap
some guy won it and didn't need it.
the ligths I go with Marine Depot or HelloLights
MD has free shipping if you meet the minimum requirement
Hellolights has the cheap URI VHO's (no internal reflector) on sale now

szwab · 01/29/2006, 10:03 PM

if it's FOWLR might even want to consider an icecap with regular flourecent bulbs and if you want a blue look then throw on a 03 bulb on in the mix.also are you dead set on FOWLR or is there a chance to go reef? if there is a chance I'd get the 660. be realistic now and you could save some cash and headache later on.

atoz1to4 · 01/29/2006, 10:19 PM

For at least 2 years it will be fowlr. There are plans of either moving or remodeling in about 2 years so I want to keep things somewhat simple for the near term I don't want to try to move a reef tank. After that there is about a 50/50 chance of going towards a reef tank.

szwab · 01/29/2006, 10:39 PM

the icecap ballast will over drive the regular flour. bulbs

meant to mention that in the previous post. if it were me I'd get the 660

also the icecap ballasts can be converted to MH ballasts if needed later down the road. i think it runs about 30 bucks.

01/29/2006, 07:15 PM	#1
atoz1to4 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 29	Lighting Options for a 72 Gallon Bowfront I have been trying to sort out my lighting for a FOWLR. The tank will be mostly fish (4-6 depending on type) only with enough live rock for the biological filtration. The tank is 48" long X 13" on the ends (18" in the middle) and 22" tall. I have been considering the Icecap 660 vho w/ 4 bulbs. I think this maybe overkill though and now it seems like T5's maybe a better way to go? Anyhow I have listed my options any inputs would be much appreciated. I am looking at the retro kits since I am building my own hood. I think I can upgrade the 430 ballast for a 660 and have room to grow if I only start with 2 bulbs. Icecapp 660 VHO 4 bulb Icecapp 430 VHO 2 bulb Icecap 660 T5 4 bulb Icecap 430 T5 2 bulb Also any good suggestions for online purchase??

01/29/2006, 09:01 PM	#2
know-it-all Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: in my now frozen chair (aka Wisconsin) Posts: 1,488	I've got (4) 36" vho's on mine I could probably get 46.5" long bulbs under the hood on each end, I use 100w screw-in pc bulbs (daylight 10k) and they keep the corners very bright I don't think you need to run (4) 48" bulbs for FO as for online vendors, I got my ballast/endcaps off ebay for super cheap some guy won it and didn't need it. the ligths I go with Marine Depot or HelloLights MD has free shipping if you meet the minimum requirement Hellolights has the cheap URI VHO's (no internal reflector) on sale now __________________ current tank 94 corner, SPS/LPS basement sump

01/29/2006, 10:03 PM	#3
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	if it's FOWLR might even want to consider an icecap with regular flourecent bulbs and if you want a blue look then throw on a 03 bulb on in the mix.also are you dead set on FOWLR or is there a chance to go reef? if there is a chance I'd get the 660. be realistic now and you could save some cash and headache later on. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

01/29/2006, 10:39 PM	#5
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	the icecap ballast will over drive the regular flour. bulbs meant to mention that in the previous post. if it were me I'd get the 660 also the icecap ballasts can be converted to MH ballasts if needed later down the road. i think it runs about 30 bucks. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

01/29/2006, 10:19 PM	#4
atoz1to4 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 29	For at least 2 years it will be fowlr. There are plans of either moving or remodeling in about 2 years so I want to keep things somewhat simple for the near term I don't want to try to move a reef tank. After that there is about a 50/50 chance of going towards a reef tank.