What lighting would you choose and why?

Seismic · 11/03/2006, 06:23 PM

Current setup: Standard 55gal, Icecap 660 running 3 4' VHOs (1 actinic, 2 50/50), a NO GE ballast from Wal-Mart running 2 4' bulbs (1 actinic, 1 50/50), all coralife bulbs. I have a reflector behind them. The back of my hood is open. I plan on keeping a mix of hard and soft corals, but have mostly soft right now.

I also have at my disposal: Another Icecap 660 (that I'm planning on sending in for repair - dumped in the drink), 2 Icecap 250W MH ballasts (but no socket or reflectors).

My hood puts my VHOs about 8" off the surface of the water, maybe a little more, and it's just stained wood. I haven't painted the inside white yet.

I was thinking of trying to fit some T5s on the Icecap and the two MHs.

What would you guys do?

Thanks,
Josh

dhnguyen · 11/03/2006, 06:39 PM

I'd ditch the VHO's and either go ALL T5's or T5 and MH combo.

T5 because it is much more efficient (especially if you use individual reflectors) and produces more PAR than VHO. Not to mention the heat issue.

MH because I like the shimmering effect

but this point is more of personal preference than anything.

Seismic · 11/04/2006, 05:40 AM

The heat issue? If I switch over to t5s, I'll have to get fans for the t5s, according to the Icecap sponsored thread anyway, but I'd need to get them for the MHs also, I guess. I'll also need new endcaps and standoffs...

So if I run MHs alone, I'd want something like 14K or greater, I'm guessing, but with t5 actinics, would it be best to run 10Ks?

Thanks,
Joshua

Seismic · 11/06/2006, 04:53 PM

Any more thoughts on this? I just bought a 4' long 90 gal yesterday, so now I have some more space.

So, I think I'm going with the 2 250W MHs 10K, and some actinics... Now what would you guys recommend? 2 t-5s, maybe?

I still have at my disposal 2 icecap 660s, 2 icecap 250W MH ballasts, 5 pairs of VHO endcaps, and a few NO and VHO Corallife bulbs (50/50s and actinics which are in use now) and a 4 bulb flourescent reflector.

What I don't have (yet) are MH sockets or reflectors.

Do I go with double endeds, or moguls?

Also, I'll be having a custom hood built out of wood...
Thoughts on light arrangements and spacing off the water and eachother?

Thanks in advance for your input!

Henry Bowman · 11/06/2006, 10:28 PM

I agree with the 259 MH's in 10K. I'd use the 660 to run 4 48" T5's with 2 aquablues and 2 superactinics. You COULD use the 2 660's to run 6 T5's without the need for the MH lamps For what you are going to pay for good MH sockets and reflectors, you could have a great T5 setup with out the electricity bill and heat of the MH's

11/03/2006, 06:23 PM	#1
Seismic Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sault Sainte Marie, MI Posts: 4	What lighting would you choose and why? Current setup: Standard 55gal, Icecap 660 running 3 4' VHOs (1 actinic, 2 50/50), a NO GE ballast from Wal-Mart running 2 4' bulbs (1 actinic, 1 50/50), all coralife bulbs. I have a reflector behind them. The back of my hood is open. I plan on keeping a mix of hard and soft corals, but have mostly soft right now. I also have at my disposal: Another Icecap 660 (that I'm planning on sending in for repair - dumped in the drink), 2 Icecap 250W MH ballasts (but no socket or reflectors). My hood puts my VHOs about 8" off the surface of the water, maybe a little more, and it's just stained wood. I haven't painted the inside white yet. I was thinking of trying to fit some T5s on the Icecap and the two MHs. What would you guys do? Thanks, Josh __________________ _/\_/\/\__/\_ -Seismic Current Tank Info: 90 gal w/ LR, LS, soft corals, inverts & fish

11/04/2006, 05:40 AM	#3
Seismic Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sault Sainte Marie, MI Posts: 4	The heat issue? The heat issue? If I switch over to t5s, I'll have to get fans for the t5s, according to the Icecap sponsored thread anyway, but I'd need to get them for the MHs also, I guess. I'll also need new endcaps and standoffs... So if I run MHs alone, I'd want something like 14K or greater, I'm guessing, but with t5 actinics, would it be best to run 10Ks? Thanks, Joshua __________________ _/\_/\/\__/\_ -Seismic Current Tank Info: 90 gal w/ LR, LS, soft corals, inverts & fish

11/06/2006, 04:53 PM	#4
Seismic Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sault Sainte Marie, MI Posts: 4	Any more thoughts on this? I just bought a 4' long 90 gal yesterday, so now I have some more space. So, I think I'm going with the 2 250W MHs 10K, and some actinics... Now what would you guys recommend? 2 t-5s, maybe? I still have at my disposal 2 icecap 660s, 2 icecap 250W MH ballasts, 5 pairs of VHO endcaps, and a few NO and VHO Corallife bulbs (50/50s and actinics which are in use now) and a 4 bulb flourescent reflector. What I don't have (yet) are MH sockets or reflectors. Do I go with double endeds, or moguls? Also, I'll be having a custom hood built out of wood... Thoughts on light arrangements and spacing off the water and eachother? Thanks in advance for your input! __________________ _/\_/\/\__/\_ -Seismic Current Tank Info: 90 gal w/ LR, LS, soft corals, inverts & fish

11/06/2006, 10:28 PM	#5
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	I agree with the 259 MH's in 10K. I'd use the 660 to run 4 48" T5's with 2 aquablues and 2 superactinics. You COULD use the 2 660's to run 6 T5's without the need for the MH lamps For what you are going to pay for good MH sockets and reflectors, you could have a great T5 setup with out the electricity bill and heat of the MH's __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works

11/03/2006, 06:39 PM	#2
dhnguyen Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, WA Posts: 4,751	I'd ditch the VHO's and either go ALL T5's or T5 and MH combo. T5 because it is much more efficient (especially if you use individual reflectors) and produces more PAR than VHO. Not to mention the heat issue. MH because I like the shimmering effect but this point is more of personal preference than anything.