6 vho =mh??
- Thread starter dailey76
- Start date
bawood
Member
Depends on wattage truly. I'd say the difference between VHO and MH is about 10% per watt, but MH also has better depth penetration than anything else.
If the 6 vho are matching the wattage or more wattage you should be in pretty good shape. Remember VHO can get warm and that many that close together especially. Definately want fans like a MH.
If the 6 vho are matching the wattage or more wattage you should be in pretty good shape. Remember VHO can get warm and that many that close together especially. Definately want fans like a MH.
dailey76
Member
well im definitly looking at doing a set of fans i only have 9 inches from canopy to water so would the halide and vho be about the same for heat and also ability to grow corals.I have been told the halides would get too hot in a canopy with limited space as such. most people say you need 10-12 inches for mh. I was thinking running the 6 vho's on timers and have 2 start early in day then graduate to 4 then midday to 6 then stepdown back to nighttime. would this be correct?
bawood
Member
I've also heard and witnessed the 10 inch recommendation, I think this is for heat but also for the light to spread out rather than pinpoint one spot.
Like I said it will depend on your depth, if your under 18" deep than VHO should be fine.
I like your idea of staggering the lights, I'd probably do something similar myself.
If you set it up right all the lights will be on the same amount of time
ie.
set 1 9-4
set 2 11-6
set 3 1-8
For 3 hours you'd have that peak of all 6, but the rest of the time less. You could condense the timing or run the sets for 8 hours to have a little longer peak It'd depend on your corals of choice and other variables of course.
Like I said it will depend on your depth, if your under 18" deep than VHO should be fine.
I like your idea of staggering the lights, I'd probably do something similar myself.
If you set it up right all the lights will be on the same amount of time
ie.
set 1 9-4
set 2 11-6
set 3 1-8
For 3 hours you'd have that peak of all 6, but the rest of the time less. You could condense the timing or run the sets for 8 hours to have a little longer peak It'd depend on your corals of choice and other variables of course.
cain420
Active Member
mh gives much better spectrum! u cant just add up watts.. dont work that way.. lights deal with lumens (one lumen = 1 candle/sq.ft.) you lose lumens as it travels thru the water and u lose intesity as well..vho cannot compare to mh.. but you could probably get a vho/mh retro-kit..
if you want to grow/stock some inverts/anenome's ur gonna need mh.. vho just wont do it from what i understand - no matter how many of em u got.. they need the better light spectrum.. vho u will be changing bulbs every 4 -5 months as they lose spectrum fast due to high output! a 4 vho light setup will add $200 a year on your tank cost.. just a little info..
if you want to grow/stock some inverts/anenome's ur gonna need mh.. vho just wont do it from what i understand - no matter how many of em u got.. they need the better light spectrum.. vho u will be changing bulbs every 4 -5 months as they lose spectrum fast due to high output! a 4 vho light setup will add $200 a year on your tank cost.. just a little info..
bawood
Member
Totally not true that VHO doesn't have the right spectrum.
Most NO don't have the spectrum as they are just standard fluorescent lights.
VHO are designed to have the proper spectrum and I've seen everything kept successfully under them.
You are right that VHO doesn't penetrate depths as well, very true.
ALso you are right you'll have to replace bulbs more often as the the bulbs start shifting spectrum over time. I'd say you'd be safe for a little more than 4-5 months, but it depends what depth and what kind of livestock.
It's true you can't just add up the lights, but you can definately keep most reef creatures under just VHO if you consider depth of placement.
Most NO don't have the spectrum as they are just standard fluorescent lights.
VHO are designed to have the proper spectrum and I've seen everything kept successfully under them.
You are right that VHO doesn't penetrate depths as well, very true.
ALso you are right you'll have to replace bulbs more often as the the bulbs start shifting spectrum over time. I'd say you'd be safe for a little more than 4-5 months, but it depends what depth and what kind of livestock.
It's true you can't just add up the lights, but you can definately keep most reef creatures under just VHO if you consider depth of placement.
cain420
Active Member
Originally Posted by BAWood
Totally not true that VHO doesn't have the right spectrum.
Most NO don't have the spectrum as they are just standard fluorescent lights.
VHO are designed to have the proper spectrum and I've seen everything kept successfully under them.
You are right that VHO doesn't penetrate depths as well, very true.
ALso you are right you'll have to replace bulbs more often as the the bulbs start shifting spectrum over time. I'd say you'd be safe for a little more than 4-5 months, but it depends what depth and what kind of livestock.
It's true you can't just add up the lights, but you can definately keep most reef creatures under just VHO if you consider depth of placement.
vho doesnt give the same spectrum as mh... sorry to tell ya its not just that they penetrate deeper..they give a closer spectrum of true sunlight then vho.. flourescent cant compare to that, no matter what the output is, its a different filliment/lighting technique..
Totally not true that VHO doesn't have the right spectrum.
Most NO don't have the spectrum as they are just standard fluorescent lights.
VHO are designed to have the proper spectrum and I've seen everything kept successfully under them.
You are right that VHO doesn't penetrate depths as well, very true.
ALso you are right you'll have to replace bulbs more often as the the bulbs start shifting spectrum over time. I'd say you'd be safe for a little more than 4-5 months, but it depends what depth and what kind of livestock.
It's true you can't just add up the lights, but you can definately keep most reef creatures under just VHO if you consider depth of placement.
vho doesnt give the same spectrum as mh... sorry to tell ya its not just that they penetrate deeper..they give a closer spectrum of true sunlight then vho.. flourescent cant compare to that, no matter what the output is, its a different filliment/lighting technique..
reefnut
Active Member
Spectrum has nothing to do with the main difference between VHOs and MHs... intensity or the PAR output is the key. MHs produce FAR more usable light than VHOs watt for watt, far more than 10% IMO. IF you want light loving critters then you would be MUCH better off adding a couple MHs vs the 6-VHOs. Remember... watts do not mean anything when comparing different types of lighting.
Opinions very but IMO there are many clams, corals and anemones that should be kept under nothing but MHs.
Opinions very but IMO there are many clams, corals and anemones that should be kept under nothing but MHs.
dailey76
Member
well to give you guys an idea this tank is 24 inches deep. i have a canopy with 9 inches to the water and only 12 inches deep. now my prefered option is a 250w mh w/10k bulb supplemented with the super actinics. but i have the issue of the canopy height. would a lower wattage halide such as the 70 watt lights require less clearance than the nine inches or is the 10 inch rule for all halides. what about hqi? would those bulbs need the same clearance?
dailey76
Member
well reefnut tell me this would a 14k 250w halide do fine by itself? or should it be supllemented. Also i have even considered running two 175w halides to spread over the tank better would they penetrate to my sandbed? Sandbed is actually 4-6inches deep depending on how fish stir up the bottom and the tank is 24 inches tall. I really appreciate your help. All the online stores when i call them just want to sell me more stuff. I have seen a 20k halide stand alone and think its a little to blue and also like the idea of being a little more natural looking. Also are the icecap ballast as good as the price they demand?
dailey76
Member
The canopy is 12 inches front to back and 9 inches inside to water level height wise. Also will be adding at least one fan for the heat dissapation. The canopy has an open back so hopefully one fan should be fine. hopefully If this is ordered today it will be here mid week and ill post some pics.
reefnut
Active Member
You do not "need" supplementation. I ran my tank with 20k and no actinics.
What size is the tank?? 2-250w would be best... 175w just don't penetrate as well.
Problem is... if the canopy is 9" off the water the lights will hang down a couple inches so they will only be 7" or so off the water... which is still acceptable but not optimal.
What size is the tank?? 2-250w would be best... 175w just don't penetrate as well.
Problem is... if the canopy is 9" off the water the lights will hang down a couple inches so they will only be 7" or so off the water... which is still acceptable but not optimal.
unleashed
Active Member
Originally Posted by dailey76
due to canopy height im not going to be able to run mh on my tank i have measured and i have room for 6 vho lights. would it be about same output as a halide setup with supplemented vho since the bulbs are more than normal.
no im sorry even though your adding more watts by adding bulbs it still doesnt have the same output as MH.MH travel into depths much farther than T5s, pc's or VHO the deeper the water gets other lighting is reduced.there are alot of various web sites that can help you more in the subjuct to understand lighting requirements and why.if you are keeping low light corals pollups ect softies then they might be ok depending on the depth of your tank.my tank is 8 ftx24x30 deep its a softy tank one anenome positioned on top of my rocks my lighting is 3 400 w MH 4 110w vho
due to canopy height im not going to be able to run mh on my tank i have measured and i have room for 6 vho lights. would it be about same output as a halide setup with supplemented vho since the bulbs are more than normal.
no im sorry even though your adding more watts by adding bulbs it still doesnt have the same output as MH.MH travel into depths much farther than T5s, pc's or VHO the deeper the water gets other lighting is reduced.there are alot of various web sites that can help you more in the subjuct to understand lighting requirements and why.if you are keeping low light corals pollups ect softies then they might be ok depending on the depth of your tank.my tank is 8 ftx24x30 deep its a softy tank one anenome positioned on top of my rocks my lighting is 3 400 w MH 4 110w vho
unleashed
Active Member
Originally Posted by dailey76
due to canopy height im not going to be able to run mh on my tank i have measured and i have room for 6 vho lights. would it be about same output as a halide setup with supplemented vho since the bulbs are more than normal.
no im sorry even though your adding more watts by adding bulbs it still doesnt have the same output as MH.MH travel into depths much farther than T5s, pc's or VHO the deeper the water gets other lighting is reduced.there are alot of various web sites that can help you more in the subjuct to understand lighting requirements and why.if you are keeping low light corals pollups ect softies then they might be ok depending on the depth of your tank.my tank is 8 ftx24x30 deep its a softy tank one anenome positioned on top of my rocks my lighting is 3 400 w MH 4 110w vho
due to canopy height im not going to be able to run mh on my tank i have measured and i have room for 6 vho lights. would it be about same output as a halide setup with supplemented vho since the bulbs are more than normal.
no im sorry even though your adding more watts by adding bulbs it still doesnt have the same output as MH.MH travel into depths much farther than T5s, pc's or VHO the deeper the water gets other lighting is reduced.there are alot of various web sites that can help you more in the subjuct to understand lighting requirements and why.if you are keeping low light corals pollups ect softies then they might be ok depending on the depth of your tank.my tank is 8 ftx24x30 deep its a softy tank one anenome positioned on top of my rocks my lighting is 3 400 w MH 4 110w vho
dailey76
Member
this is only a 45 gallon tank its just tall and kinda unusual. So you think the single halide would be ok by itself that would allow some dimmer areas on the very edges of tank for some lower light loving critters? Also would i need to put a splashguard or a glass cover on the tank to keep water from hitting the light? I know i will lose some of the par value of the light but its all for not if the bulb explodes right? I've heard some people use a screen of some type. Would that work? The more i hear you guys talk I believe im going to run a icecap 250 mh stand alone with a 12-14k bulb. At that point i could always add actinics if needed. Reefnut would running about three washers in between the reflector and the canopy be enough room for the heat issues in that area?
reefnut
Active Member
Also would i need to put a splashguard or a glass cover on the tank to keep water from hitting the light?
DE HQI MHs come with UV shields so that would help if you went with them. If not, I personally don't see how water would splash 6" out of the water but I guess a shield would be a good idea. Do not cover the tank... that will hold the heat in and hinder gas exchange.
I believe im going to run a icecap 250 mh stand alone with a 12-14k bulb.
Good choice!! Single Ended or Double Ended??
Reefnut would running about three washers in between the reflector and the canopy be enough room for the heat issues in that area?
Should be fine...
DE HQI MHs come with UV shields so that would help if you went with them. If not, I personally don't see how water would splash 6" out of the water but I guess a shield would be a good idea. Do not cover the tank... that will hold the heat in and hinder gas exchange.
I believe im going to run a icecap 250 mh stand alone with a 12-14k bulb.
Good choice!! Single Ended or Double Ended??
Reefnut would running about three washers in between the reflector and the canopy be enough room for the heat issues in that area?
Should be fine...
dailey76
Member
well im not sure on the se or de bulbe ive been reading the de have more par than the se bulbs is that true? also if i did run a set of bulbs is it just dumb to run a lets say combo of 6500k and a 20k bulb? or would that idea of running duel 250w mhs on a 45 gallon tall just be overkill. I have several online stores up and ready to order i just wanna be sure im doing the right thing the first time. I would hate to explain to wife i need to pitch another 500 bucks into that money tank as she says.
dailey76
Member
well here i go ordering icecap 250 ballest with spider reflector and a 14k hamilton bulb also going to try the icecap 4"fan. and for kicks i ordered a set of moonlights to completethe effect. (figures while canopy is off i can do both) With starting the new halides will i need to break in the start of them? Currently im fowlr?? ohh and everything shipping included only 324 bucks not to bad is it? Would you reccommend wrapping wires in flex loom or something to help with corrosion or salt buildup?