Halides for a FOWLR?

[Doubledown]

I converted a 180 reef to a FOWLR over the last 3 days and I am having trouble deciding on lighting. The reef had a 6 foot retro with 3x175MH and 2 6' VHO actinics. I bought another 6' VHO set and was going to use just that, but I am not so sure it will be enough light. Looking at the halides today, I thought that I could take the center one out and move the 2 outside sockets in and run with the 2 halides and the actinics only.

I know that the fish don't really need that much light and that more light typically equals algae, but how much different is 2x175MH+330VHO versus 660VHO?

The nice thing about VHO is that they light evenly across the whole tank, MH have a more spotlight effect (not as bad in an open spider reflector) and that shimmer.

What do you think?

Thanks

 

[Ereefic]

I would go with whatever has the cheapest bulb replacement.

 

[po2lony1]

for FOWLR you can run the mh bulbs till they burn out that means years

 

[RRafael]

the MH's do run a long time but as they get older can't bad algea start to grow????

 

[mm949]

fishfood is correct...halides need replacement yearly
dbldown...depends on the look u want...i run 3-250w MH and 4-165 VHO's om my 300gl fowlr and 3-400w MH on my 750gl pond...

 

[Doubledown]

Thanks all. I'm gonna try the 2x175 MH with the VHO and see if there is anough coverage.

 

[mbunaman]

If you like to ripple effect go with 2 X 175 20K bulbs for blueness. I depends what color effect you like. I would go with the MH if it was my tank due to the ripples the light produces.