what do you all think

thedealer

thedealer

Member
I have a 265 reef Its been up for 4 years now. Right now i have 4 - 72in vho total of 1280 watts.Just soft corals would like to up grade. O.K. here is the options 2 more vho bulbs 640 watts. Or 2- 175 watt metal halide> If i go with the metal halide im going to have to raise the canope 6in. because right now my vho is only 3in off the water, so what do you all think.
 
threed240

threed240

Member
With a 72" tank, you may want to add 3 halides instead of 2. It's a good rule of thumb to have one every 2 feet. Just think about the shimmer effect, and maybe that could help you make up your mind.

Oh, and how about some pics?
 
thedealer

thedealer

Member
right now the tank is beatiful. with just 4 vho lamps so im thinking if adding 2 more vho or 2 mh (budget) the question is would i get more light out of 2 more vho ore 2 mh,im going to have to raise the conope 4in if i go with the mh
 
dejaco

dejaco

Member
I was wondering the same thing. One VHO 72" = 160 watts
4 VHO 72" = 640 watts
6 VHO 72" = 960 watts
IMO and I have a 210 g reef set up with 2 - 250 watt MH 10,000K
and 2 - VHO actinic white & actinic blue I only have 820 watts. It's plenty!
A friend of mine has 4 VHO 72" over his 125g and with much surface agitation does get the same shimmer I get with MH's. I believe each systems varies on lighting requirements, to a degree, yet 4 to 5 watts seems to be enough.
Placement is the issue; over 5 watts per gallon and I think you can place stuff just about anywhere you want it, but have an awful big chiller!
 
thejeweler

thejeweler

Member
ok thats what i needed, and your right on the watts on the vho. Ome more question Whtats the closest i can put the mh above the water.And thank you
 
dejaco

dejaco

Member
Leave yourself enough room to get in and work without getting burned!
My MH's are 18" above
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by thejeweler
ok thats what i needed, and your right on the watts on the vho. Ome more question Whtats the closest i can put the mh above the water.And thank you
If they have a tempered glass shield like most pendants then 4" works fine. The lower they are the more often they need to be cleaned.
Minimum 10" IMO if there's no glass shield over the bulb.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I'd opt for MH upgrade and raise the canopy, but as suggested for good coverage would need 3 MH's, but that could be negated depending on the reflectors you would choose to use.....The Lumenarc III reflectors will cover a 3'x3' area.
 
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