VHO + PC + Metal Halide

[BoiseSalt]

Ok... so today i bought a 150 gallon tank!. Go figure right... its got a Metal Halide!... Why??? I dont know!. Anyway. I was going to move my 55 Gal into the 150.. for extra space. ... so i figured Either

A. Remove the Metal Halide.... Because i want to do a tank right... (Vho's That is)
B. Add my existing VHO's and My Existing Power Compacts that i currently have on my tank with the Metal Halide (All though thats just not right).
C. Move over the Power Compacts and the VHO's and use the Halide for my sump.... Like Garf, but then again its a Halide!

If you can leave me some positive reinforcement on which way i should go... i would greatly appreciate it. If all 3 (VHO+PC+Halide) would be the best option then i guess i just have to suck it up and keep the halide.

 

[PUGroyale]

What kind of halide? wattage, reflector, ballast type, bulb???

 

[BoiseSalt]

Its a 175W Hallide Kit, The Ballast.. Idk its in this big black box!. lol

It does have a reflector

 

[PUGroyale]

Sounds like a magnetic ballast then... any info on the lamp itself? How old, manufacturer, kelvin? How long is the tank? center brace? what do you plan on keeping?

 

[BoiseSalt]

Its an Electronic Ballast,, I know that for a fact. The info on the lamp. ...


I keep alot of Softies, hard corals.. etc.

Its a 150 tall.. its 48 long

 

[PUGroyale]

I'd trade away the MH setup locally for some really cheap corals and stick with the "vastly superior VHO's"

 

[BoiseSalt]

Thats what i thought dave!!!

Im so anti halides!!

 

[Emster]

I got all three on my tank, they all work great. Check out my gallery or maybe I will post a pic.

 

[Emster]

Here is a pic...

 

[BoiseSalt]

Very Impressive Tank, wow.. i dont know what to say!.

 

[nick18tjetta]

My I ask what is wrong with the Halides?

 

[BoiseSalt]

Theres nothign wrong with the Halides. They work!.

 

[Emster]

Thank you for the compliment. I run the halides for only five hours because I have found that to be enough. The two 55watt pc actinics and one 110watt vho are on for 12 hours and when the halides are off I run the two 55watt 10k pc's for tank viewing. It works out great for me.

 

[BoiseSalt]

But is it worth me keeping the halide.. although it has a brace in the middle! Its only 1 Halide

 

[BoiseSalt]

Here are some pics of my 55

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x257/slspectre/100_0823.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

Left Side of Tank:
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x257/slspectre/100_0824.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

Right Side of Tank:
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x257/slspectre/100_0825.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

 

[BoiseSalt]

So this is what im running all in one hood:

1. 2 Set VHO's with ARO Ballast (1 Actinic and 1 White)
2. 1 Metal Halide 175W.
3. 2 96W, Power Compact (1 Actinic and 1 White)

Lets hope thats enough light!