Actinic Supplimentation for my MHs

[Ryan S]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice lighting advice. I am resurrecting a tank of mine that has been neglected for a few years. One of my first orders of business is to either replace my light bulbs or opt for a new lighting system all together.

Relevant Info:

The tank is a standard 75g.
I have a custom built canopy.
Current lighting is 2x250W DE HQI with reflectors. Running Phoenix 14000k's, which apparently are out of production now.

4x110W 46.5" T12 VHOs.
2x UVL Actinic White
1x UVL Super Actinic 420nm
1x UVL 454nm

So here is where I need all you lovely people's advice. I am having trouble sourcing new VHO bulbs, and I fear it may not be long until they are impossible to find at all. Seems like a dying technology with the advent of T5s and LEDs.

I was initially planning to run 10000k MHs with (2) 420nm and (2) 454nm VHOs. Now I am rethinking this decision and wondering if it is time to upgrade to T5s or LEDs. I'm pretty sure the halides will be enough light to keep whatever coral I want, so the VHOs, T5s, or LEDs will primarily be to provide actinic supplementation for aesthetic purposes. Does that sound right?

What do you guys think? Keep the MHs and VHOs? Remove the VHOs and add T5s? LEDs?

The last part is a trick question, because if you vote for LEDs I need some links to good retrofit kits (or DIY instructions) for LEDs.

All input is appreciated! Thank you for reading this far!

Ryan

 

[sbeason]

Ryan,

Phoenix 14ks were initially going to have production stopped, but that has since been rethought; production will continue.

VHO 454 are a great supplement to MH. I ran them for years on a 90g and 210g tank. VHO's can be found online at PA.

Many people have switched to T5's, LED's and even stay or go back and forth between MH and the two aforementioned in a combo/hybrid. My best advice would be look at some of the many threads online here and see what people have tried.

-Steve