Lighting in Custom Canopy?

[cmack]

I plan on starting my Canopy project for my 90 gal reef tank tomorrow, but before I can begin i need to decide on what lighting i eventually want to use.
I am plannining on eventually putting 2 MH lights along the center of the canopy but i'm not sure about the front and back.
I was thinking 1 - 48in VHO in the front and 1 in the back, which combined with the MH bulbs would probably be enough. However I don't know when I'll be able to afford the MH setup, so should I go with 2 - 48 in VHOs in the front and 2 in the back? Will this allow room in the center to add the MHs in the future?
Or...Should I scrap the VHO idea and use PC bulbs instead? if so, how many and what placement?
I could be way off on my estimates, so if someone has a different idea, please let me know.
The tank will be a reef system will eventually have Anemones and clams (MH bulbs), but to start, just the basic corals.

 

[broomer5]

I'd consider the (4) VHO set up to start out with.
When/If you add MH, you can modify things in there to make room.
Also - just and FYI
URI makes VHO 110 watt in a 46.5" length as well.
If you want your canopy flush with the sides of your tank ( 48" length I assume ) you can get these shorter bulbs.
If not - 48" lamps will require a longer canopy.
It's hard to beat the look of a tank using URI actinic VHO and some MH or Aquasuns. My opinion - it's sweet.
And the corals dig it too.

 

[slick]

Hi I built a custom canopy for my 90 a few weeks ago.
I put 2 mh's in the middle with 2 65w pc's in the front and 2 more in the back. I really like how it turned out. I have never used vho before so I can't really say which is better.

 

[cmack]

Thanks for the info, I was actually thinking about using the Icecap 660 or 430 ballast, so I'll try and stay with URI on the bulbs also...