halides vs VHO's

[xmenx2dad]

Hi there wanting to get peoples input on my current and possible future lighting system. I currently have a standard 55 mixed reef with 3-175 halides and two 40 watt actinics. Brand is Hamilton technologies. The main problems with this system is it has a poor reflector only on one of the halides and none on the actinics. Bulbs are older. Also have an issues with the tank overheating, have put a fan on the sump, it helps some. I have someone who is interested in this system for a 75 gallon tank and wants to give me his vho system. 4-110 watt bulbs, 2 white, 2 actinic with the built in reflectors powered by an icecap ballast. I believe that this ballast would also power t5's would this be a better or viable 3rd option? The pros to this system i think are that i would not need external reflectors?, the light is continous throughout the tank and less of a heat generated issues. Downside the pop or shimmer of the halides. He is giving me some cash plus the lights for my halide system. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated

 

[indigobluetc]

I think t5's are awesome lights but the MH's do have a nice shimmer.. Do a search on how to make some nice MH reflectors and find a chiller.. Theres one on craigs for 450 right now.. Altho a nice setup of VHO can be very eye catching as well..

 

[congerorama]

The specific MH bulb you pick also has a huge impact on how the tank looks, pick the wrong bulb and the tank just doesn't look good... or alternately pick the right bulb, and you'll be amazed at how much better the tank looks. I'm a big fan of Phoenix 14000K and I've heard good things about the Radium 20000K.

I don't have any experience with VHOs, but I know that you can't beat the penetration of MH bulbs, plus like the last guy said, the shimmering is a very nice touch.

If you go to four 110 W bulbs, two of them being actinic, then you are taking a huge step back in photosynthetically available light... especially if moving up in tank size. You would have effectively 220 W of light for a 75 gallon tank (actinics make the tank look cool, but don't offer much in the way of useful light for photosynthetic animals), compared to your current 525 W for a 55 gallon.

As far as over-heating, what kind of powerheads do you have in your tank? Another way to cut back on the wattage pumping heat into your water would be to upgrade your powerheads to something low-power (or external motors, like the Vortec). Cheaper than a chiller anyways, and might do the trick... food for thought anyways!

 

[Greysoul]

Vortech MP40W $400+
1/5 hp chiller $400+

 

[congerorama]

True, but if he's running Maxijet 1200s @ 20W a pop, he can go with Koralias at 10W a pop, for about $50 bucks. Or he could go with the MP20W Vortecs for cheaper than the 40s, or he could go with an external return pump if he has a sump... there are several options. I have no idea what his current setup is, but reducing the wattage doesn't have to cost $400 if he's got some high-wattage equipment currently.

I was just trying to give some creative alternatives to reducing the heat!

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

standard Hamilton 48" fixture for a 55 would be 2 halides, not 3.

Four VHO lamps can overheat a 55.

A vented fan system on either hood would be necessary to reduce heat transfer to the aquarium.

 

[sgallant04]

I have a much smaller setup then you do & I incurred the expense of upgrading to a chiller and have found that for straight temperature control...it is perfect. I honestly can not imagine any setup I have in the future without one. Once temp is under control you can move to any lighting system that will provide for what you want to keep, is pleasing to your eye and within your budget.

 

[sgallant04]

I have a much smaller setup then you do & I incurred the expense of upgrading to a chiller and have found that for straight temperature control...it is perfect. I honestly can not imagine any setup I have in the future without one. Once temp is under control you can move to any lighting system that will provide for what you want to keep, is pleasing to your eye and within your budget.

 

[xmenx2dad]

I have retro an old hamilton 6 foot light to fit into my hood. my tank is a standard 55. the back is open for ventilation. two power head 301 and 2 maxi jet 400's in tank for circulation. gen x 1500 return pump with a crappy seaclone skimmer. unfortunately do not have room for a chiller or the money. very limited space under a 55 stand. I have a sump and fuge under neath the display. if i kept the halide setup, i would need to get refelctors for both the halides and actinics and also get all new bulbs. Right now the tank seems shadowy, the light is not even throughout the tank. i have a small fan on the sump to help with cooling. The system that i was thinking of trading for is 4-110 watt VHOwith the internal reflectors. would an external reflector help?