180g lighting ok?

[mark humme]

This will be my first time venturing into larger reef aquariums. We've had a 20 gal fowlr set up for about a year now, and beginning to explore into coral. However we'd like to get a 180g set up as a penisula (sp) between the living room and the kitchen. I am sure on everything else except for the lighting.
I was on a website to build your own lighting. I will be making the stand and hood for the aquarium. Just for the record I would like to eventually like to keep clams and sps in the tank.
Hears what i've come up with. 3- 400w 20,000K Ushio 23-5000947 MH's, and 2- 72" super actinic URI #10-72-03-v VHO's. Will the actinic's be ok or should i use diffrient bulbs? MH ballast, advance (M59) #61-30450, and VHO ballast, ARO model 4L #41-41001. Are these good ballasts or would you recommend another type? Thanks for your help. If you would like to know the website I guess i have to e-mail it.
Mark

 

[avbryce1]

I really dont know because I am pretty much in the same boat as you, but I ve been keeping corals in my 10 gallon for a while now and I havent lost one yet. I am building a hood for my 100g long that I'm setting up. Sence I am using 20k mh bulbs I plan on getting 1 10k vho and 1 super actinic. you know just to provide a wider lighting spectrum.

 

[verde_ad]

If you are going to run three lights, why not try a combo of a couple bulbs. Maybe two 20k's on the outside and a 10k on the inside or the opposite. Then supplement what ever light you have less of with VHO's. For example 2-400w 20k's, 1- 400w 10k and then put some 10k VHO's. It might give you a cool effect and you could put the corals that live in deeper water under the 20k's and the bright light corals(SPS, Clams) under the 10k. Just an idea.