gruve
New Member
Hi all, I've been researching saltwater aquariums for about 2 weeks straight now in hopes of getting launched in this awesome hobbie. I'm going to post a few of these "Gruve Wants To Know" posts in hopes of getting good info on the various systems involved in keeping a nice reef setup.
I've got a pretty big technical and science background so I do want to do this right in that I'll be able to experiment with different varieties of verts/inverts, corals, clams, anemones, etc. I don't necessarily need to be able to host ALL species, but keeping a good range would be ideal.
So On To...
--Gruve Wants To Know -- Lighting --
So I've read quite a bit about lighting over the last few days and I'd like to get feedback on my thoughts as well as specifics to get the most out of my money. I plan on setting up a 75 or 90 gallon tank, tall around 24-30 inches to get the widest light range. I've read a few journals and info off of GARF and other places about recommended lighting.
I know a MH setup would be nice but very expensive, however I did see some inexpensive no-name ones on ---- but am a bit suspicious of their quality. I'm not sure what wattage or number of MH's I'd need for a 90gal tank, 2? Also in a cheap MH setup, I think the only real thing to be suspicious of is the ballast? One lingering question is I know you can buy electric ballasts at hardware stores for relatively cheap, so why cant we use these?
Short of the MH setup, I was thinking a DIY VHO setup would provide the best light. Theyre not as intense as MH but in a 4ft tank, you could pack 440 watts with 4 bulbs over the tank and could use different bulb temps to create different effects. Later if you needed to for certain corals you could stick in a MH over wherever you planned to put them, but I'd think with 440 you could grow most anything near the top of the tank no?
As far as parts for a VHO 440watt setup, I've looked at ballasts (again why cant you use ones for the hardware store), and have found that theres a good price range. You can get a no-name brand electric ballast for 50 bucks or spend 160 on an IceCap or 120 on URI for that matter. Is there a big range in ballast quality and are they worth the extra money?
Other than that theres the wiring, end caps, reflector - ive found all of these readily on the net, BUT where the heck can you buy just a empty metal light hood/canopy to stick this stuff in.
Priced out with the IceCap ballast I came out to roughly $320 for everything for this lighting. A dual MH would be about 150 more or so, and I dont wanna spend that much money.
I didnt really consider PC's for this because I read somewhere that output ranges arent developed yet and the right color temp for coral hasnt really been achived with PC. Also, I guess I assumed PC would be more expensive than VHO.
So, should I go ahead with the VHO, splurge for MH (would cause me to have to cut corners elsewhere), or read up more on PC and maybe go that route if its cost and color temp range prove to be a viable alternative? Also what about these hardware store options? are we just getting ripped off from the aquar. industry?
I guess what I really wanna know from you experts out there, if you were starting from scratch and wanted a good versatile setup, with a bit of an eye toward budget, what would you do?
---- Keep an Eye Out for other "Gruve Wants To Know" posts as I try to get the info I need to get a nice setup going and get the most for my money....
I've got a pretty big technical and science background so I do want to do this right in that I'll be able to experiment with different varieties of verts/inverts, corals, clams, anemones, etc. I don't necessarily need to be able to host ALL species, but keeping a good range would be ideal.
So On To...
--Gruve Wants To Know -- Lighting --
So I've read quite a bit about lighting over the last few days and I'd like to get feedback on my thoughts as well as specifics to get the most out of my money. I plan on setting up a 75 or 90 gallon tank, tall around 24-30 inches to get the widest light range. I've read a few journals and info off of GARF and other places about recommended lighting.
I know a MH setup would be nice but very expensive, however I did see some inexpensive no-name ones on ---- but am a bit suspicious of their quality. I'm not sure what wattage or number of MH's I'd need for a 90gal tank, 2? Also in a cheap MH setup, I think the only real thing to be suspicious of is the ballast? One lingering question is I know you can buy electric ballasts at hardware stores for relatively cheap, so why cant we use these?
Short of the MH setup, I was thinking a DIY VHO setup would provide the best light. Theyre not as intense as MH but in a 4ft tank, you could pack 440 watts with 4 bulbs over the tank and could use different bulb temps to create different effects. Later if you needed to for certain corals you could stick in a MH over wherever you planned to put them, but I'd think with 440 you could grow most anything near the top of the tank no?
As far as parts for a VHO 440watt setup, I've looked at ballasts (again why cant you use ones for the hardware store), and have found that theres a good price range. You can get a no-name brand electric ballast for 50 bucks or spend 160 on an IceCap or 120 on URI for that matter. Is there a big range in ballast quality and are they worth the extra money?
Other than that theres the wiring, end caps, reflector - ive found all of these readily on the net, BUT where the heck can you buy just a empty metal light hood/canopy to stick this stuff in.
Priced out with the IceCap ballast I came out to roughly $320 for everything for this lighting. A dual MH would be about 150 more or so, and I dont wanna spend that much money.
I didnt really consider PC's for this because I read somewhere that output ranges arent developed yet and the right color temp for coral hasnt really been achived with PC. Also, I guess I assumed PC would be more expensive than VHO.
So, should I go ahead with the VHO, splurge for MH (would cause me to have to cut corners elsewhere), or read up more on PC and maybe go that route if its cost and color temp range prove to be a viable alternative? Also what about these hardware store options? are we just getting ripped off from the aquar. industry?
I guess what I really wanna know from you experts out there, if you were starting from scratch and wanted a good versatile setup, with a bit of an eye toward budget, what would you do?
---- Keep an Eye Out for other "Gruve Wants To Know" posts as I try to get the info I need to get a nice setup going and get the most for my money....