VHO or PC for 75G Reef

[tmoney]

Hey Guys,
I finally got my ALL-GLASS 75E tank. It's going to be a reef tank, and i'm still puzzled about the lighting. I can't spend a fortune on lights but I don't want crap either. HEre is what I have considered:
JEBO/ODYSSEA 260W PC Lights
Icecap 660 Ballast w/HQI VHO bulbs (4x110W bulbs= 440W)
Is the difference between these two really worth the extra money? I am planning on getting many corals over time, excluding clams and anemones.
AND if you recommend the Icecap 660, please inform me as to what else I need (Canopy? what else?) for it to work since I have no idea on VHO ballasts etc.

 

[kevin j]

I had both set-ups the pc's and vho's. I first bought the pc's and thought they were very nice but couldnt keep alot of stuff. You have very limited with this set-up. So I went with the vho's and what a differance more color, much brighter and a wider range of corals that you can keep. Go with the icecap its worth the money. But to save a few bucks get the uri a4 ballast its made by icecap for uri but twenty bucks less. There is no real differance. You will need a ballast, endcaps, stand-offs, reflector, and bulbs but get the 46.5 inch bulbs they put out the same amount as the 48 inch bulbs but gives you room to work in the canopy.
kevin

 

[tmoney]

Thanks alot for the reply. If I can afford it I will go VHO. (I'm only 16 with a part-time job) :help:

 

[thomas712]

T-Money how much did they want for the ice cap VHO setup?

 

[dummy]

vho,vho vho vho........................ :jumping:

 

[tmoney]

So I calculated everything out and for a complete 4 bulb VHO system it would cost me around $300. I have seen MH retrokits on ---- for less than that. I have been looking at a 400W MH retrokit on ---- for $220. Do you guys recommend getting more than one MH bulb or stay with one bulb. (I'd like to get the blueish but also daylight white color in the tank)

 

[thomas712]

Possible options depending on size and what you may like.
This first one is 380 watts***
36" 4 Lamp VHO Retrofit Kit (w/ ARO Model 4L ballast)
Bulb1: URI Super Actinic VHO #10-30-03-V (+$19.00)
Bulb2: URI Actinic White 50/50 VHO #12-30-ATW-V (+$16.50)
Bulb3: URI Super Actinic VHO #10-30-03-V (+$19.00)
Bulb4: URI Actinic White 50/50 VHO #12-30-ATW-V (+$16.50)
Total without shipping. 236.00
The next two are both 440 watts.***
The 46.5" VHO retrofit kit. (w/ARO Model 4L ballast)
Bulb1: URI Super Actinic VHO(+$20.00)
Bulb2: URI Actinic White 50/50 VHO(+$23.50)
Bulb3: URI Super Actinic VHO(+$20.00)
Bulb4: URI Actinic White 50/50 VHO(+$23.50)
Total without shipping 256.00
48" 4 Lamp VHO Retrofit Kit (w/ ARO Model 4L ballast)
Bulb1: URI Super Actinic VHO (+$20.95)
Bulb2: URI Actinic White 50/50 VHO(+$23.95)
Bulb3: URI Super Actinic VHO (+$20.95)
Bulb4: URI Actinic White 50/50 VHO(+$23.95)
Total without shipping 258.80
None of these are for fancy dual timers or moonlights, The 4 bulbs are either on or off all at one time. But these are options.
Thomas

 

[benj420]

TMoney, I would go with the VHO system that you are looking at with one exception. Instead of one IceCap 660, get 2 IceCap 440's. That way you can control the 10,000k's and actinics seperately, otherwise all bulbs have to go on and off at the same time. That's what I have on my headboard tank except they are 72" bulbs. I love them and would not change a thing.
I'm not sure what you mean by HQI VHO bulb. VHO is one thing, and HQI is a type of Metal Halide bulb.