Retro Lighting (MH & VHO)

[Woodstock]

It is almost time to begin working on retrofitting my canopy for my 120 reef. I have done some research and decided to go with the following...

• 2 x 250 SE MH powered by two Icecap electronic ballast with spider reflectors?
• 2 x 48" VHO for actinic supplementation powered by an Icecap 660 with _________ reflector?
• 2 or 3 icecap fans with temperature sensor

Any thoughts on this setup?

[aquaman3680]

The only problem is the halides reaching all the way out there. Since the tank is 24x24 it will be tough for the halides to extend that far, There is a new reflector out, can't pull out the name right now, but they are supposed to take 250's and make them have the power of a 400. You might try that as a cheaper alternative.

Matt

[boozeman]

looks good doni..why not go de on the mh's?

[sasquatch]

Woodstock? why only 2x48 vho?

[Stevenmi]

You could try the lumenarc's, EXPENSIVE but IMO the best reflectors available. Both single and de available That would leave you more room for either 4 (110) vho or perhaps (4) 54w t5's.

http://www.reefexotics.com/lumenarc.htm

I am working on my canopy right now, however, I have decided to run 2 vho and 2 t5's off a 660. With 2x se 250 using the 14.5x14.5" Luminarc 3 mini.





Steve

[Woodstock]

Boozeman, I prefer SE over DE because..

• SE bulbs have the UV sheild built in and therefore does not need a glass UV sheild like the DE.
• I want to go with an electronic ballast not an HQI.
• I have a large inventory of SE bulbs already.
• I know which SE bulbs I like and dislike through my trial and error

Sasquatch, I dunno. Are you recommending more than 2? If so, the reasons?

[Woodstock]

I'll go with that reflector Steven, thanks! I've heard rave reviews about them and feel they are worth the extra $.

4 vho's ehh??

[sasquatch]

Woody, why not? youve got the width, you could probably cut back the MH hours in the hot weather, ice caps are 2 channel so if one side blows you still have 2 lamps, what colour range are your mh? I find that te actinics are really nice until the coraline gets heavy on the back glass then the tank starts to look purple.Steve

[Woodstock]

I use 10k MH so I would definately go with actinic VHO's. Okay then, I'll go with four.

What reflector for the VHO?

[Stevenmi]

If you decide on going t5, use the ice cap SLR reflectors!! they rock!! I am running the 2 vho x 2 t5's right now off a 660 (make sure they are on diffrent "loops" if you try this on the same ballast. My main bank is a 4 bulb nova extreem I like the color options more bulbs gives me for dawn to dusk.

That being said, perhaps some time(over the next few weeks) was can all talk MH bulb selection as I am a mh virgin.

Steve

[Woodstock]

Would the SLR reflectors work for the VHO? Do the VHO have internal reflectors?

[billyr98]

VHO have internal reflectors and SLRs are for T5HOs...

But about going with that crazy reflector... You are using 250w XM10ks they are equal to a 400w Low end MH bulb already... Be careful with that reflector mixture and the XM10k, you might be asking for a lot of light with softies and such...

[rDr4g0n]

if anyone plans to donate their t5 or VHOs i knwo this guy who posts on these forums who wouldnt mind taking them. hes kinda a jerk, but hes really cool

*whispers* its me!

[Stevenmi]

The vho I use do have internal reflectors. The SLR reflectors will only work with the t5's But give a 300% increase in output (advertised).

The icecap 600 overdrives the 54w t5's to about 80w. All I can say is it is blinding when matched with the slr reflectors.

Steve(determined to get woody to try t-5's at least on 2..lol)

[Woodstock]

LOL Steven.

Billy, yeah, I already have bleaching issues with my current 250 watt xm's. I am NOT looking for more par.. just more actinics.