HVO vs HO?
- Thread starter beanie
- Start date
a&m aggie 04'
Active Member
it really depends on what you want to keep and the size of the tank, for most corals - VHO (very high output) or PC's (power compacts) do fine. But for larger tanks, SPS (small polyp stoney), and clams people use MH (metal halides). Their light is very intense and deeply penetrates that water. People do use VHOs for larger tanks but you just have to use alot of bulb.
HTH,
Mark
HTH,
Mark
attml
Active Member
When I first started getting into reef keeping I set up a 260 w Compact Fluorescent fixture over my tank. It is a decent fixture and I have many corals that do very well. But the more I get into the hobby the more I see tanks like these (http://www.koralle.at/becken.asp and http://mistressreef.homestead.com/ . I really wanted to have my tank look like these tanks but 260watts of PC lighting will never grow those really nice sps corals. I just broke down and bought a MH/VHO combo which will allow me to grow just about any type of coral, clams etc.. that I want. My advice is to save your money and get good lighting!!! If you have good lighting and good water you will have nice reef in which you keep more corals!!
timo
Member
For my 29 tall I use 2x65 pc = 130watts = on a 29= 4.4 wpg. That's the light that fit my tank best. I'll be trading to a 29 long soon and I'll add the same system to the other half after I cycle it. Remember, some people have alot of money to spend on their tanks, so all lighting systems, while they're great, may not be "the best" for a given tank. Although I'm not there yet, as I understand it, when the light is right, you'll know!
HTH -Tim
HTH -Tim
