VHO or Metal Halide

umfan_97

New Member
Currently I have a 65 gallon tank with 3 36"Vho's 2 white, 1 blue. I would like to try my hand at some Lps and sps corals. Would the current lighting be efficient. If not should I add another VHO or switch to MH. With the MH I'm worried about the heat they put off. What do you guys think?
 

bang guy

Moderator
I think your fine for most LPS although another VHO bulb will not hurt.
If you're just going to get a couple SPS like M. digitata or other not-so-intense-light requiring SPS then you're probably OK with the 4 bulbs. If your going to go heavy into SPS with Acropora, etc. then MH is probably the way to go.
It has been my experience that MH, VHO, PC, etc put out about the same amount of heat watt for watt.
 

ironreef

Member
your lighting is fine but if you can I would add another bulb= if you have a 660 IC it would be simple? unless there no room but you should be okay. you can feed your lfp to help
 

umfan_97

New Member
Acro's are corals that I really like. If I went with MH how many would I need I'm looking at the 400 20,000k
 

bang guy

Moderator
a pair of 400 watt 20,000K bulbs will be all you need. IMO 250's will suffice but the 400's will leave no doubt.
 

umfan_97

New Member
Are the retrofit kits sufficient. Also what is the normal daily running time for these lamps. Will I need to add a fan to my canopy. I have about 5 inches from lights to water with the VHOs.
 

bang guy

Moderator
You may have a problem then. MH needs a lot more space. The fan isn't a given, but it's always good to have a fan (or 2) in the canopy for hot summer days. What are the dimentions of your tank and the Canopy?
 

umfan_97

New Member
The size of my tank is 48x18x20. I have about 5-7 inches from water to bulb. I could add a couple of fans will it still be too hot. My tank is acrylic so the top is completely enclosed so I don't have to worry about water splashing on the bulb.
 

bang guy

Moderator
Do you have a sump? The problem with enclosed tanks is the heat as you surmised. The fans work mostly by increasing evaporation, not blowing out the the bulb heat. As a result you may need to uncover the two cutouts on top of the tank. I recommend a pair of 250's, I really believe that will be adequate. Especially if you supplement with a pair of VHO actinics.
A sump would allow you to cool the water with a fan remotely. For an acrylic tank I definately recommend a pair of fans to keep the center brace from overheating (or does your 65 have eurobracing?).
If you can have the bottom of the MH bulb 5" from the water I think you'll be perfectly safe. Measure twice, cut once ;)
 

umfan_97

New Member
Yes I have a sump. Actually my aquarium is a tenecor flat back hexagon if your familiar with them. There are two cutouts near the back. Was looking at keeping the 3 VHOs I have using 2 blue and 1 white and adding 1 250 10,000k and 2 fans and a reflector. After checking www.hellolights this more in my price range of about $450 unless you have another solution. Any help would be greatly appreciated. What is eurobracing?
 

bang guy

Moderator
450 sounds cool, and you have the piece of mind. It's been about 10 years since I've purchased MH. I think that question is worth another thread for you in the equipment forum. I'm sure someone there has recently purchased MH and would have a better feel for the price.
Euro Bracing is a MUCH thicker rim around the tank. Mostly found on glass tanks. This eliminates the need for center bracing. I personall don't like it, but it does have its plus side.
 

umfan_97

New Member
Thanks for all the help. Do you think one 250 and 3 vho's will be enough for acro's. If I have too I'll break down and go with two 175's. And supplement them with the 3 Vhos I already have.
 

bang guy

Moderator
I think one is fine. you'll need to place the Acropora under the MH and LPS away from it. Good plan IMO.
 

rane

Member
Bang Guy
I too have a 155 bow front...do you have any pics of your tank..I am thinking about making my tank a reef with a few fish any sugestions..my top is a glass top and i have 2 36inch strips right over the glass canopey could i put MH in there and would it be safe if its over the glass or will the glass crack from the heat?
 

bang guy

Moderator
If you're going Reef I suggest you remove the glass top completely. Build a canopy or have one built that is tall enough to house MH bulbs. I'd suggest 10 - 12" tall.
I've yet to build my canopy :( so I just have a crude cover over my VHO bulbs.
 

shadow678

Member
Don't feel too bad about that Bang, I know just how you feel, I have yet to get enough time and energy(at the same time) to build one for my 100 reef, so my VHO bulbs are sitting on the top of the tank with the reflector over them. lol You'll (and hopefully I) will get to it at some point.
 

smalltimer

Member
PFO makes a pendent style housing that holds a 250 10k Ushio buld, the best on the market, has a PPFD of nearly all the Coral Life, Hamilton, etc. 400 watt bulbs...PPFD, is the photosynthic spectrum of the bulb...ie. the usuable part of the spectrum that corals can use. The Ushio hqi, has 2x the ppfd of a coral life, 250 watt mogule base buld. Anyway, if you don't mind seeeing a black 6x10, 4 inch housing, black, sticking up out of your canopy, you can cut the housing into your canopy, it has a remote hqi ballast, so heat is away from canopy for the ballast, and the housing has slits in it to let heat up and light down through a uv protected glass shield...I don't have pics of mine yet but, I have a 250 watt and 2 55 pc actinics on a 50 gallon, I installed 2 radio shack 4" 120 volts fans that came on with the mh, on the timer, and had to cut back to 1 because the temp would actully drop. An acrylic tank is insulated more than a glass, and would hold your heat in the water more, you can also put BIG fan on top of sump to evaporate water and take out heat.. anyway, the pfo, is about 340 each on the internet, they will, like any other mh, 3 feet horizontal area...250 watt good to 30 inches tank depth, any more need 400's to make usable light to the bottom.. email me and I can point you in the direction of getting the pfo...
go to pfo.com, heres the link and look at the mini pendents, that is what it is..you can't buy there but it will show you what I am talking about..
http://www.pfolighting.com/aqwebsite/aqpendents.htm
spitlerbrian@rhtc.net
 
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