enough lighting?
- Thread starter popal
- Start date
55semireef
Moved On
Yeah but you also have a 20 gallon tank johno4.
55semireef
Moved On
What about 220 watt of pcs of a 55 gallon tank. Is that enough for a BTA SVXH6?
Popal, you have enough light for a BTA imo.
Popal, you have enough light for a BTA imo.
55semireef
Moved On
PC is more intense than VHO since it produces more watts/lumen than VHO. VHO just gives out more light spectrum than PC. But I think I will be upgrading my PCs anyways.
SVXH6
New member
thats good if it produces more lumens.... you want PAR anyway.. i would take a VHO lit tank anyday over the same wattage of PC's, and im sure there are plenty more people that would agree with that.. VHO also gives off a better color, and bulbs last longer.. VHO is definately better that PC IMO.. go with T5's if your choosing any of them besides MH.. have you seen some of the T5HO SPS tanks?? they are awesome, great growth and color, less heat, long lasting bulbs..
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Amphiprion
Premium Member
I am plenty happy with VHO 
55semireef
Moved On
I have no idea why you would rather go with the same wattage of VHO than PC. PC is more intese and thats what your looking for. You can always replace bulbs but I will look into T5s.
johno4
New member
Popal you have enough light.
55semireef, watts per gallon is more of a reference. The real issue is the depth the light has to penetrate. If his BTA is not near the bottom of his tank it doesnt matter about tank size!
SVXH6 is correct you can use less VHO than pc and have similar results because of the PAR. I dont know off of personal experience but most things you will read will bring you to the same conclusion.
55semireef, watts per gallon is more of a reference. The real issue is the depth the light has to penetrate. If his BTA is not near the bottom of his tank it doesnt matter about tank size!
SVXH6 is correct you can use less VHO than pc and have similar results because of the PAR. I dont know off of personal experience but most things you will read will bring you to the same conclusion.
55semireef
Moved On
Watts/gallon can mean nothing without knowing where the anemone is positioned and how deep the tank is.
Yeah you can have a 40 gallon tall and have 200 watts of VHO over it and try and have a carpet anemone but the carpet is not getting enought light since its so far down.
For example you have 400 watts of NO and 400 watts of PC, well PC produces a lot more lumens per wattage than NO or VHO for that matter.
The only thing about VHO is that it gives a better light spectrum for the corals.
emoore
New member
Watts/gallon can mean nothing without knowing where the anemone is positioned and how deep the tank is.
Yeah you can have a 40 gallon tall and have 200 watts of VHO over it and try and have a carpet anemone but the carpet is not getting enought light since its so far down.
For example you have 400 watts of NO and 400 watts of PC, well PC produces a lot more lumens per wattage than NO or VHO for that matter.
The only thing about VHO is that it gives a better light spectrum for the corals. [/QUOTE]
There is restrike of the light in PC’s because of the way the bulbs are bent. PC’s may produce more lumens per watt but it is harder to get that light into the tank. A VHO with reflectors will get more light (PAR) into the tank than a PC of the same wattage.
Yeah you can have a 40 gallon tall and have 200 watts of VHO over it and try and have a carpet anemone but the carpet is not getting enought light since its so far down.
For example you have 400 watts of NO and 400 watts of PC, well PC produces a lot more lumens per wattage than NO or VHO for that matter.
The only thing about VHO is that it gives a better light spectrum for the corals. [/QUOTE]
There is restrike of the light in PC’s because of the way the bulbs are bent. PC’s may produce more lumens per watt but it is harder to get that light into the tank. A VHO with reflectors will get more light (PAR) into the tank than a PC of the same wattage.
55semireef
Moved On
VHO, will put more light in the tank like you just said mentioned above, but PCs will have more light penetration which is better for corals.
55semireef
Moved On
I will start a thread on it in the Reef Discussion because I am now interested in myself. I want to upgrade my lighting and I am thinking about VHO since they give corals a better color.
