Lighting questions

nickoz

nickoz

Member
I am looking to increase my lighting and looking for opinions.
I have a 72 gallon bowfront tank, currently it has about 70-100 lb LR with a few crabs and shrimp, it will be FOWLR and hopefully evolve into a reef tank of sorts. In my current setup I have 2x175wMH (not sure what type of bulbs, I bought the setup used) with 2x40wNO Actinic blue and Actinic 03. I would like to remove the NO and install either VHO or PC. I am leaning towards the PC for price, I would like to either to 2x96w, 4x32w, 4x55w or 4x65w and possible add a single moon light.
The reason that I am thinking about doing this is that the NO are really weak and not very pretty. I would like to have some better looking lights for outside my MH photoperiod. Currently I run the NO for 13 and the MH for 8.
-Should I just in create my MH photoperiod and leave it alone?
-Should I go with VHO or PC?
-If I go with PC any suggestions on number of bulbs and wattage?
-If I try different rating NO bulb with that make things look better?
-If I post a picture of my tank does anyone think he/she would be able to tell me what type of MH bulb I have in my canopy?
Thanks
-nick
 
mr . salty

mr . salty

Active Member
Soundslike a perfect setup already.Many people prefer no's for their blue supplimental lighting over PC..PC just doesnt make a good blue bulb..If I were you I would leave it as is,and just try adding one 50/50 and a new actinic blue in that no fixture..
Also,how old are these bulbs??? Flourescent bulbs are pretty much junk after a year..And MH last even less...
If you are not sure if it's time to replace the bulbs,,,IT PROBABLY IS.
I suggest lookig into the 10K MH bulbs,and using the NO's I said above...
Also,you should cut down on the totallighting period per day.Keeping them on as long as you are is asking for an algae bloom...
I only have mine on for 8hours total.My actinics come on at 2pm,then two 40watt no's at 4pm,Then the MH on at 5pm.Then they are all off by 9pm...
 
nickoz

nickoz

Member
I have seen some people, like yourself, who say no more than 8 hours total photoperiod, however I have seen others who say no less then 14. My LFS has a 72 gallon Bow with 2x400w MH and he has them running for 12 hrs, this tank is awesome, no signs of algae blooms, and he has twice the watts per gallon as I do.
Any thoughts?
 
nickoz

nickoz

Member
Thanks Sal,
I was not leaning towards VHO or PC for one reason or another. I would just need to find something that can fit in my current canopywith my 2 MH bulbs. So either 2 VHO or 4 22in PC.
I will have to check www.hellolights.com out.
Thanks again
-nick
 
nickoz

nickoz

Member
Alright I have narrowed it down........ sort of..... well not really....
I am can fit either 2x110w VHO, 2x96wPC, 4x55wPC, 4x65wPC...
any suggestions or recommendations?
-nick
 
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