Adding MH to Existing PC?

[captained]

I'm thinking about adding a dual 175WT MH retro to the pair of 24" PC lights I already have: 1/65/8,800K and 1/65/Ultra Actinic each.
Questions:

• Should I keep the 8800Ks, or just the Actinics when i had the MH?
• How much space between the MH bulbs and the PCs do I need? Current bulbs are mounted in my canopy on reflectors with 3" between them. I could eek out another 2-3 if I had to.
  What MH bulbs to get? 10,000, or is that overkill with the PCs?

Thanks for thoughts/suggestions!

 

[q]

I have 2 14K MH bulbs that are 1/2 inch away from my vho tubes. No problems.
I have 2 actinic and 2 daylight which are my dawn/dusk. I think you blend is fine if you use 10-14K bulbs. I love the color of the 14K BTW.

 

[h2o]

that's something i want to do too. but i always wonder about the distance between the mh bulb and the pc (or vho) bulbs. wouldn't the heat from mh melt or affect the pc bulbs if it's too close. will mh bulb have any adverse effect say if it's 1/2" to 1" away from 96w pc bulbs? i currently have 3 96w and want to squeeze in a mh bulb but have concern about it, and canopy height to tank is a mere 2" if i install it.

 

[q]

H2O
IMO 2 inches is way too close to the water.
I don't know about heat affecting the pc bulbs but my vho are fine. They put out some heat of their own but I don't see them taking on enough heat to affect the connections of the bulb.