VHOs for brains?

[garvin90]

Im looking into new lighting for when I setup my next tank and Im wanting know which would be better to go with. I have a oceanic 110 which is 72x18x18 and I was planning on running 3 VHOs over it. Im planning this tank to be predominately brain types such as favia, favites, platygyra, trachyphyllia and some acans. My montipora will also be joining the mix. Ive never used VHOs before so I wanted to make sure if that would be enough lighting to keep everyone happy of if you think I should go with 4 bulbs instead of 3?

 

[jjmcat]

Id go with four bulbs instead of three.I would off-set them for more coverage.If you end up needing more light then you could go to home depot and get a cheap ballast and run a couple of the G.E. 6500k bulbs.

 

[gh0st]

An IceCap 660 with Four Bulbs ought to do the trick for Brains.

Icecaps have much better light intensity and bulb life than the cheaper ballasts do.

 

[garvin90]

That icecap was actually the setup Ive been eyeing. What does everyone recommend as a good light balance for the bulb coloration then? I was thinking staggering the actinics so it would be a actinic then a aquasun, another actinic and another aquasun or so.

Also what is your feelings on T5s? Ive heard for them to be really effective that they each need their own reflector.

 

[Racing1]

I agree with the Icecap 660 and 4 bulbs. I have 440 watts of VHO over my 75 and my brain loves it..

 

[salt newbie01]

I would also run 4 bulbs instead of 3. The color just depends on personal opinion. I have 4 vho's over my 75 - I am running 2 actinics and 2 aquasuns. I don't like the color- it has a pink tint to it. I am going to change at least one maybe both of the aquasuns to the 50/50 bulbs. They should be plenty of light for what you are planning. good luck

 

[garvin90]

How did you mount your moon lights with the 4 bulb array? Did you do 2 then put the lighting in the middle and then the other 2 in the back or are the moon lights in the back?