T5, VHO, or MH

SquidHC · 04/08/2007, 11:28 PM

Setting up lighting for my new 30g. I have room in the hood to put in 4 bulbs and a single MH fixture. Im not sure what to do. Please keep in mind that I will be keeping a few SPS along with many zooz, mushrooms, and other softies.

Firstly should I go with VHO or T-5's? Why?

I have considered a few diferent setups. I intend to run 2 actnic and 2 actnic white 36" bulbs. Im not sure if I want to go with 2 "Workhorse 8" ballasts with 2 bulbs on each, or a single "Icecap 660". I have heard the icecaps are awesome, but I dont know much about the workhorse ballast.

Secondly do I add a MH or not?

Now keeping in mind that I am not looking to keep only extremely high light needy corals nor clams, I dont know that I need to add a MH light to this fixture. I would love the visual effect that the MH has on the tank, but I dont want to have too much light. I am also worried about the heat from the MH. My hood is like 10" tall. The back is open but the top is closed. Its gonna need some serious fans to maintain a good temp with the MH in there. Amperage is also an issue cause I have to run this tank off of a single 15 amp circut. I think a 250 watt MH ballast pulls about 4 amps. Im really leaning towards not adding MH to the system. If I do add one, what should I go with? I was thinking of a 175 watt 14k bulb. This would definetely add some nice light but not be too overpowering. Any imput on this?

Thanks in advance

SquidHC · 04/09/2007, 09:06 AM

/bump

six.line · 04/09/2007, 10:12 AM

People fight each other over all this. There are many pros and cons on all sides; VHO, T5, and MH alike. The choice between VHO and T5 for me would be largely governed by price + running costs. Whichever saves me the most money (even by a few bucks) is the one that gets the nod for me.

I personally think Workhorse ballasts are excellent ballasts. Given a choice between them and Icecap, I personally don't think there's any reason to get Icecap over Workhorse. Just me, though.

As far as whether or not to add a metal halide... Ehhhhh... Yeah, the heating issues are definitely something for you to worry about, especially with summer coming on. You say now that you won't want those acroporas or that awesome looking derasa clam, but sooner or later that addictive desire will twinge inside you and you'll be very very hungry for some SPS.

175 is fine, but if you want to keep just a few (literally like 3 colonies max) you might want to investigate 70W MH. You'd have to keep the SPS and clams close together and toward the surface, but the 70W MH would give you that opportunity and greatly reduce the power demands as well as the heat. 150W MH is another option.

Good luck. (14K sounds good for bulb color by the way.)

gh0st · 04/09/2007, 10:49 AM

Icecap ballasts deliver better output and longer bulb life, and their customer service is amazing. Worth every penny IMHO.

papagimp · 04/09/2007, 11:02 AM

It's only a 30g tank. I see no reason to add multiple bulbs to this small of a tank. T5's by themselves will be just fine, VHO's as well, or a single MH with no T5's or VHO's. Personaly, I'd go for the T5's. Since I've used them as well as Metal Halides, and seent he effects both have. T5's seem to be a much cheaper alternative and less heat. Plus, having multiple bulbs instead of a single MH bulb, you can customize the color spectrum a little more to your liking.

seapug · 04/09/2007, 12:28 PM

MH can add a great natural look to the tank, but since it's only 30Gal, go with the lowest wattage you can find and stick with a higher K rating-- 14 to 20 or else it'll look like a container of yellow pee.

SquidHC · 04/09/2007, 02:28 PM

/bump

04/08/2007, 11:28 PM	#1
SquidHC Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon, USA Posts: 840	T5, VHO, or MH Setting up lighting for my new 30g. I have room in the hood to put in 4 bulbs and a single MH fixture. Im not sure what to do. Please keep in mind that I will be keeping a few SPS along with many zooz, mushrooms, and other softies. Firstly should I go with VHO or T-5's? Why? I have considered a few diferent setups. I intend to run 2 actnic and 2 actnic white 36" bulbs. Im not sure if I want to go with 2 "Workhorse 8" ballasts with 2 bulbs on each, or a single "Icecap 660". I have heard the icecaps are awesome, but I dont know much about the workhorse ballast. Secondly do I add a MH or not? Now keeping in mind that I am not looking to keep only extremely high light needy corals nor clams, I dont know that I need to add a MH light to this fixture. I would love the visual effect that the MH has on the tank, but I dont want to have too much light. I am also worried about the heat from the MH. My hood is like 10" tall. The back is open but the top is closed. Its gonna need some serious fans to maintain a good temp with the MH in there. Amperage is also an issue cause I have to run this tank off of a single 15 amp circut. I think a 250 watt MH ballast pulls about 4 amps. Im really leaning towards not adding MH to the system. If I do add one, what should I go with? I was thinking of a 175 watt 14k bulb. This would definetely add some nice light but not be too overpowering. Any imput on this? Thanks in advance __________________ We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. Current Tank Info: 30x30 cube under construction!

04/09/2007, 09:06 AM	#2
SquidHC Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon, USA Posts: 840	/bump __________________ We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. Current Tank Info: 30x30 cube under construction!

04/09/2007, 10:12 AM	#3
six.line Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Logan, UT Posts: 775	People fight each other over all this. There are many pros and cons on all sides; VHO, T5, and MH alike. The choice between VHO and T5 for me would be largely governed by price + running costs. Whichever saves me the most money (even by a few bucks) is the one that gets the nod for me. I personally think Workhorse ballasts are excellent ballasts. Given a choice between them and Icecap, I personally don't think there's any reason to get Icecap over Workhorse. Just me, though. As far as whether or not to add a metal halide... Ehhhhh... Yeah, the heating issues are definitely something for you to worry about, especially with summer coming on. You say now that you won't want those acroporas or that awesome looking derasa clam, but sooner or later that addictive desire will twinge inside you and you'll be very very hungry for some SPS. 175 is fine, but if you want to keep just a few (literally like 3 colonies max) you might want to investigate 70W MH. You'd have to keep the SPS and clams close together and toward the surface, but the 70W MH would give you that opportunity and greatly reduce the power demands as well as the heat. 150W MH is another option. Good luck. (14K sounds good for bulb color by the way.) __________________ This post approved by Mrs. Sixline. assign <= six.line(#FFFFFF && string("nerdy")) Current Tank Info: 30 gallon with 10 gallon sump

04/09/2007, 10:49 AM	#4
gh0st Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 956	Icecap ballasts deliver better output and longer bulb life, and their customer service is amazing. Worth every penny IMHO. __________________ I REFUSE to buy Named/LE/High End Corals for insane prices. I REFUSE to pay Per Polyp for micro "Frags." Further more, I REFUSE to sell in any similar fashion. This is a hobby, not the Stock Market. If you feel the same, change you're signature to something similar and spread the word! Long Live the Reef Revolution!

04/09/2007, 11:02 AM	#5
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	It's only a 30g tank. I see no reason to add multiple bulbs to this small of a tank. T5's by themselves will be just fine, VHO's as well, or a single MH with no T5's or VHO's. Personaly, I'd go for the T5's. Since I've used them as well as Metal Halides, and seent he effects both have. T5's seem to be a much cheaper alternative and less heat. Plus, having multiple bulbs instead of a single MH bulb, you can customize the color spectrum a little more to your liking. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

04/09/2007, 12:28 PM	#6
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	MH can add a great natural look to the tank, but since it's only 30Gal, go with the lowest wattage you can find and stick with a higher K rating-- 14 to 20 or else it'll look like a container of yellow pee. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

04/09/2007, 02:28 PM	#7
SquidHC Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon, USA Posts: 840	/bump __________________ We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. Current Tank Info: 30x30 cube under construction!