metal vs vho, cost??

strat · 12-20-2003, 06:52 PM

i read somewhere that metal halides are cheaper to run than vho (electricity wise)? is that really true. before i set my reef up i would like to know which of the two are more affordable to run in the long run. ( i hope its MH for the corals sake

thanks for the input guys and gals

strat

BoomerD · 12-20-2003, 07:23 PM

Depending on your tank, of course, MH can indeed be cheaper to operate. On my 90 gallon, I run 4 110w VHO's as my main lights, with 2 110 w VHO actinics for dawn/dusk lights, and if my canopy would allow it, I'd get better quality light from 2 175w MH's. Unfortunately, my canopyis too short, and all I'd end up doing is boiling the water!

strat · 12-20-2003, 09:55 PM

hmmm, guess i forgot, you pretty mcuh need actinics for the dusk/dawn effect either way, VHO or MH.... am i right?

so then one would need ballasts for both ayayay, mucho dinero....

thanks for the help boomerd

(ps what bimmer do ya drive)

strat

BoomerD · 12-20-2003, 10:17 PM

You could use NO actinics for the dusk/dark thing, but it's not actually necessary. Most people don't even do it. I just like the looks of my tank under the actinics. If you use one of the higher kelvin rated MH lamps, (14000K to 20000K) then the actinics aren't necessary at all. How big is your tank? Dimensions?
BTW, I own a 1990 735i (hers) and an 87 735i (mine)

strat · 12-21-2003, 02:32 AM

welll, right now i have a 90 gal fresh community tank, i had a 50 gal salt FOWLR when i was in mexico, and im going to convert my current 90 over to a reef or possibly setup a 180 if the glass i have for it from mexico is actually thick enough, (gotta do some research...) as far as dimensions... it looks like 4 ft across by 2 high and 18 in deep.. just looking at it...

thanks again

strat

12-20-2003, 06:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
strat Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 293 View Gallery Karma Komment	metal vs vho, cost?? i read somewhere that metal halides are cheaper to run than vho (electricity wise)? is that really true. before i set my reef up i would like to know which of the two are more affordable to run in the long run. ( i hope its MH for the corals sake thanks for the input guys and gals strat __________________ its a fish's life..... http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner2.gif

12-20-2003, 09:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
strat Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 293 View Gallery Karma Komment	hmmm, guess i forgot, you pretty mcuh need actinics for the dusk/dawn effect either way, VHO or MH.... am i right? so then one would need ballasts for both ayayay, mucho dinero.... thanks for the help boomerd (ps what bimmer do ya drive) strat __________________ its a fish's life..... http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner2.gif

12-20-2003, 10:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,638 View Gallery Karma Komment	You could use NO actinics for the dusk/dark thing, but it's not actually necessary. Most people don't even do it. I just like the looks of my tank under the actinics. If you use one of the higher kelvin rated MH lamps, (14000K to 20000K) then the actinics aren't necessary at all. How big is your tank? Dimensions? BTW, I own a 1990 735i (hers) and an 87 735i (mine) Last edited by BoomerD : 12-20-2003 at 10:27 PM.

12-21-2003, 02:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
strat Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 293 View Gallery Karma Komment	welll, right now i have a 90 gal fresh community tank, i had a 50 gal salt FOWLR when i was in mexico, and im going to convert my current 90 over to a reef or possibly setup a 180 if the glass i have for it from mexico is actually thick enough, (gotta do some research...) as far as dimensions... it looks like 4 ft across by 2 high and 18 in deep.. just looking at it... thanks again strat __________________ its a fish's life..... http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner2.gif

12-20-2003, 07:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,638 View Gallery Karma Komment	Depending on your tank, of course, MH can indeed be cheaper to operate. On my 90 gallon, I run 4 110w VHO's as my main lights, with 2 110 w VHO actinics for dawn/dusk lights, and if my canopy would allow it, I'd get better quality light from 2 175w MH's. Unfortunately, my canopyis too short, and all I'd end up doing is boiling the water!

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