Lighting Question, Please?

[themadbutcher]

Hi,
I currently have a 150 gallon tank (72") with 2 - 36" dual strip lights (2 bulbs w/reflector). I have 4 new bulbs (2 Actinic Blue, 2 10'000k). It obviously runs the length of the tank (72") and approx. 6" front to back, leaving approx 12" open space remaining from the front of the tank to the back.
My question is this:
I found a great deal on a 3 bulb VHO setup (3 - 60" bulbs), that would need to be mounted on my canopy. Could I mount these toward either the front or back of the canopy and still use my strip lights?
I know the strip lights would block part of the light, but I would like to get the extra 120 watts from the strip lights if I could.
Any suggestions?
Thank you,
-Mad

 

[cboyfan2020]

If you want my honest opinion I would scrap the strip lights and go all VHO. A 150 is pretty deep and I question how much light is reaching the bottom with the NO's.
To answer your question yes you could add the VHO's behind the NO's. More light the merrier.

 

[david s]

what do you call A deal IMo for just over $200 you can get into 2/160 vho 10k setup then run your ho as atinics you could do what you are thinking but I wouldnt block the vho with the ho strip because most of the ho light probubly is not reachng the bottom

 

[themadbutcher]

Good info.
I can get a 3 month old Icecap 660 with 3 60" bulbs for $150. I'm just hesitant since I spent money on new bulbs for the striplights and would like to use them.
Another question:
Is it possible to take apart the strip lights and mount them to the canopy also?
Then they wouldn't be blocking the VHOs.

 

[shep]

it will take vho or better to reach the bottom of the tank and strip lights will cost you more in power bill than icecap vhos. not to mention the fact that strip lights go faster than vhos. also keep in mind that some areas you want to be dim...i have 125 with four 48" vhos and offset the back two to allow a dark corner and used 18" vhos at an angle on the other end do geive a low light front corner. all corals do nit thrive on light and some like low light. keep this in mind