What Type of Supplemental Lighting Do You Like?

corrado007 · 12-26-2007, 08:10 PM

I'm in the middle of switching over to metal halides from PCs on my mixed reef tank. It's time to decide what type of supplemental lighting to add. I'm going with two 250W 10k Reeflux halides and will need actinics of some sort to make the coral colors pop out. What do you all use to supplement your halides or what do you suggest even if you don't have halides but have seen some cool set-ups? I'm leaning toward 2xVHO around 110W each, does that sound about right or are there better options T-5, PC, etc...?
Thanks everyone
Justin

corrado007 · 12-26-2007, 11:14 PM

Oh, and for those of you who are using PCs, is it because you chose to run them over other options or do you have prefabricated fixtures that have them integrated I.E. 48" HQI fixture w/ 2 250W lamps and 2 96W PCs
Thanks

charlestonemt · 12-26-2007, 11:57 PM

I have 48" t-12 VHOs on the used tank I bought recently. But...I think (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) more and more people are getting away from VHOs. None of the three LFS in my area even carry them anymore (to my surprise when I needed a replacement bulb a few weeks ago for my "new" tank.) A rep at one LFS said that they are being phased out due to lack of demand. You can still get them online for now though.

corrado007 · 12-27-2007, 11:51 AM

I've been doing a ton of searching and you seem to be right on here. The VHOs are less popular now because of T-5s. My interest in the VHOs comes from reading a number of posts which claim that although VHOs don't have the PAR or penetration of T-5s, cost more to run, and generate more heat, the VHOs for some reason still make the corals color pop more. That's all I'm looking for, I don't care about extra PAR from fluorescent bulbs since I've got two 250W halides for that. Are there T-5 bulbs out now that will give the same effect and if so which ones are they and how many would I need over a 90gal to get the effect I'm looking for?
Thanks very much!
Justin

lcstorc · 12-27-2007, 01:18 PM

My unit camed with PC actinics. I wish I had T5 actinics.

PEMfish · 12-27-2007, 01:38 PM

I really don't know witch ones, just as long as there T5s. IMO

72bownut · 01-03-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrado007

Oh, and for those of you who are using PCs, is it because you chose to run them over other options or do you have prefabricated fixtures that have them integrated I.E. 48" HQI fixture w/ 2 250W lamps and 2 96W PCs
Thanks

I have prefabricated fixtures that have them integrated I.E. 48" HQI fixture w/ 2 250W lamps and 2 96W PCs

Witfull · 01-03-2008, 11:27 AM

im using PCs cause its in the prefab hood. VHOs are great IF you use URI pure 03 bulbs. they are the BEST actinics out there.

PEMfish · 01-03-2008, 11:38 AM

Sure, now you tell me...

( I got the lighting before coming here )

lol

corrado007 · 01-04-2008, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Witfull

im using PCs cause its in the prefab hood. VHOs are great IF you use URI pure 03 bulbs. they are the BEST actinics out there.

Glad to hear that, I just received my order from hellolights. I got two 46.5" URI actinics & an ARO ballast for supplemental lighting on my new halides.

Edd13 · 01-05-2008, 05:09 AM

i selected other ... i don't use T5s as supplimental ... i use T5's as main lighting

View Poll Results: What type of Supplemental Lighting Do You Prefer for Halides?
VHO	9	21.43%
T-5	20	47.62%
Power Compact	8	19.05%
Combination of the above types	0	0%
Higher K bulbs I.E. 14K so I don't supplement them	3	7.14%
Other	2	4.76%
Voters: 42. You may not vote on this poll

12-26-2007, 08:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
corrado007 Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sacramento, Ca. Posts: 728 View Gallery Karma Komment	What Type of Supplemental Lighting Do You Like? I'm in the middle of switching over to metal halides from PCs on my mixed reef tank. It's time to decide what type of supplemental lighting to add. I'm going with two 250W 10k Reeflux halides and will need actinics of some sort to make the coral colors pop out. What do you all use to supplement your halides or what do you suggest even if you don't have halides but have seen some cool set-ups? I'm leaning toward 2xVHO around 110W each, does that sound about right or are there better options T-5, PC, etc...? Thanks everyone Justin __________________ Justin Be the person your dog thinks you are. 90gal mixed reef w/40gal sump/fuge, ATO, NW-200 Skimmer, 2x 250W 10k Reeflux MH & 220W VHO actinics, Koralia #4 & #3, Mag 9.5 return, Aquacontroller jr., LR & LS, and community fish (Yellow Assessor, Orchid Dottyback, Yellow Watchman Goby, paired O clowns, Hippo Tang, 2 Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse, Neon Goby, 1 Baby Chromis, a very small algae blenny, and a Zebra Dartfish. Note: These guys are all small to medium in size) updated 7/31/08 Here's my 90gal Chronicle (Lots of pictures and DIY)

12-26-2007, 11:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
corrado007 Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sacramento, Ca. Posts: 728 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: What Type of Supplemental Lighting Do You Like? Oh, and for those of you who are using PCs, is it because you chose to run them over other options or do you have prefabricated fixtures that have them integrated I.E. 48" HQI fixture w/ 2 250W lamps and 2 96W PCs Thanks __________________ Justin Be the person your dog thinks you are. 90gal mixed reef w/40gal sump/fuge, ATO, NW-200 Skimmer, 2x 250W 10k Reeflux MH & 220W VHO actinics, Koralia #4 & #3, Mag 9.5 return, Aquacontroller jr., LR & LS, and community fish (Yellow Assessor, Orchid Dottyback, Yellow Watchman Goby, paired O clowns, Hippo Tang, 2 Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse, Neon Goby, 1 Baby Chromis, a very small algae blenny, and a Zebra Dartfish. Note: These guys are all small to medium in size) updated 7/31/08 Here's my 90gal Chronicle (Lots of pictures and DIY)

12-26-2007, 11:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
charlestonemt Sea Pen Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 309 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: What Type of Supplemental Lighting Do You Like? I have 48" t-12 VHOs on the used tank I bought recently. But...I think (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) more and more people are getting away from VHOs. None of the three LFS in my area even carry them anymore (to my surprise when I needed a replacement bulb a few weeks ago for my "new" tank.) A rep at one LFS said that they are being phased out due to lack of demand. You can still get them online for now though.

12-27-2007, 11:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
corrado007 Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sacramento, Ca. Posts: 728 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: What Type of Supplemental Lighting Do You Like? I've been doing a ton of searching and you seem to be right on here. The VHOs are less popular now because of T-5s. My interest in the VHOs comes from reading a number of posts which claim that although VHOs don't have the PAR or penetration of T-5s, cost more to run, and generate more heat, the VHOs for some reason still make the corals color pop more. That's all I'm looking for, I don't care about extra PAR from fluorescent bulbs since I've got two 250W halides for that. Are there T-5 bulbs out now that will give the same effect and if so which ones are they and how many would I need over a 90gal to get the effect I'm looking for? Thanks very much! Justin __________________ Justin Be the person your dog thinks you are. 90gal mixed reef w/40gal sump/fuge, ATO, NW-200 Skimmer, 2x 250W 10k Reeflux MH & 220W VHO actinics, Koralia #4 & #3, Mag 9.5 return, Aquacontroller jr., LR & LS, and community fish (Yellow Assessor, Orchid Dottyback, Yellow Watchman Goby, paired O clowns, Hippo Tang, 2 Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse, Neon Goby, 1 Baby Chromis, a very small algae blenny, and a Zebra Dartfish. Note: These guys are all small to medium in size) updated 7/31/08 Here's my 90gal Chronicle (Lots of pictures and DIY)

12-27-2007, 01:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 21,727 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: What Type of Supplemental Lighting Do You Like? My unit camed with PC actinics. I wish I had T5 actinics. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

12-27-2007, 01:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
PEMfish Golden Moray Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 2,510 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: What Type of Supplemental Lighting Do You Like? I really don't know witch ones, just as long as there T5s. IMO __________________ Paul `EM My new 48" reef tank; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-opciones.html My new planted; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-planted.html# Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes. a)Fix the damn problem b)live with it -But absolutely no b*tching

01-03-2008, 11:38 AM	#9 (permalink)
PEMfish Golden Moray Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 2,510 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: What Type of Supplemental Lighting Do You Like? Sure, now you tell me... ( I got the lighting before coming here ) lol __________________ Paul `EM My new 48" reef tank; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-opciones.html My new planted; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-planted.html# Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes. a)Fix the damn problem b)live with it -But absolutely no b*tching

01-05-2008, 05:09 AM	#11 (permalink)
Edd13 Star Polyps Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Banos Posts: 151 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: What Type of Supplemental Lighting Do You Like? i selected other ... i don't use T5s as supplimental ... i use T5's as main lighting __________________ "Hi ... my name is Ed ... and I'm a Reef Addict ..." "How much deeper would the Ocean be if sponges didn't grow in it?" “My speck is inhabited by ponies that eat rainbows and poop butterflies” "I'm not a geek... I'm a 10th level Paladin"

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