Confused VHO's or CP's

[hockeyplyr]

Here's the story. Want to convert my tank From FO to Reef I'm at the step where I'm thinking about lighting. My LFS has the best reef tanks Ive ever seen, Tuns of SPS's, Clams, Corals you name it and all they use is CP lights. When I called to get quotes doesn't matter where the dude was trying to talk me into VHO's, of course there more expensive. So
these are my choices:
4 X 55 Watt CP's 2 Blue Actinic Two White
or
3 X 110 Watt VHO's two Blue Actinic And One White Actinic
so what do I do

 

[hockeyplyr]

Sorry to all in my above post I ment PC' "power compacts"
Sorry again Im a yuts

 

[maui]

By no means am I an expert stil trying to figure out lighting myself. But you would have more watts/gal w/ the VHO's (6 watts/gal). I have a 55gal myself and have PC 4 watts/gal) they seem to do a pretty good job and supposedly there isn't too much that I can't have. At least that I would want to. Plus they (PC) give a good tint to the color of the rock and corals. JMHO

 

[beth]

Its a matter of personal preference/taste. Doesn't the LFS sell the lighting? Get the same as his.
VHO has more versality because you can switch lamp-types out. But they are more expensive, and, unless you use an electronic ballast, they will run hot...meaning you will need fans to cool them and your tank down.
I have VHO and am very satisfied with it. A MH-VHO combo is really nice. Most shy away from the PC's cause, frankly, it doesn't look as good as the others.

 

[ramey70]

There is a place online where you can get a 4 bulb 440watt vho setup including bulbs, electronic ballast, endcaps, wiring, and shipping all for about $225.00. I'll email you if you are interested.

 

[lionpicasso]

Ramey were did you see that?
I've been shopping around and $225 would only buy
me the ballast from champion lighting.

 

[krusk]

well I like VHO better
because it is easier to replace bubls then PC
lionpicasso: check here
<a href="http://www.hellolights.com" target="_blank">http://www.hellolights.com</a>

 

[dirtybilge]

An icecap 660 we beat up PC's on any day.

 

[javajoe]

VHO w/ icecap

 

[josh]

Hi,
Not sure if you have thought about it, but for that size tank I would just go with Metal halides. You can get them for about the same as PC lights. I am not sure if we are posting links in here so just email me if you want a cheap site to buy MH lights. Then you can just get some el cheapo NO actinics for supplementaion ( if you even need it, depends on the MH bulb you would go with ) Do a search and you will find all the info you could ever want to know about all three types of lights. Another option is to ask around here for people who have a 55 gallon and keep what you would like to keep, and find out what they are using.
Josh

 

[jups1]

Not sure if others have this problem, but I have a problem w/PC lights not lasting even 6 months. It's a pain, but I guess I can't complain, since they have a 12 mo warranty & I get new lights every 6 months.
The intensity of the lights decreases & they start to flicker at about 6 mo's.