Lighting...Again

[tizzo]

O.k., I need better lights. Now I have the Coralife pc's. 2-65 watt actinic, 2- 65 watt daylight. I want to upgrade to metal halides. Here's my question; I've got a 90 gal- 4 feet across, do I use 175 watt, or 250, or 400watts? I will be getting 2 lights and I also need to know if I NEED any flourescents to maintain hard coral. Then, if I don't NEED them, should I get them for aesthetics (sp?). If you recommend the flourescents, which ones should I get (no, vho, pc, actinic, daylight...)? I realize that this question has been asked before, but I need an answer quicker than searching will provide.

 

[dburr]

Alot of people use 250's on the 90 gal. I run 175's and have no problem keeping SPS. I would use atinics with the halides. You can simulate dawn/dusk if you put them on a seperate timer.
HTH

 

[tizzo]

So I can rule out the 400's, that saves me some $$ And you have 175's with no regrets? Never wished you had 250's? (I'm tired of upgrading) Sad thing is, I thought I was buying reef lights when I got what I have... ooh ooh I Should post that on my "bad advice from the lfs thread... Anyway I thank you for your input, and I'm glad you mentioned the day/night thing (I forgot.)

 

[ty_05_f]

I say go with the 250's! The intensity is greater and you said you don't want to upgrade any more. Good Luck with the decision though. :joy:

 

[mr. tuna]

ya i agree with dburr. :yes:
I run 250 watts of metal halide ( and 240 watts of pc),
on my 92, and it works awsome!!

 

[tizzo]

Thank you all.

250 it will be!! Now which actinics? VHO or pc??

 

[db]

VHO's give a better look, but since you already have the pc's why not switch them to actinic. I just thought it would be a little more cost effective for you.

 

[tizzo]

I have pc actinic, but I'm planning on replacing the lights with a whole new canopy... I don't know how to move them, (if it's possible) and they won't fit under a canopy as they are now, they're to big. After purchasing a new ballast, and the end caps, and the mounting brackets, I figured it would be just as cost effective to get it all together in a retrofit... What do you guys know that I don't??