Lighting In New Tank (1 Viewer)

[Guest]

I am beginning set up on a new 90G tank (24" deep). I am having trouble deciding on lighting. I've narrowed it down to 2 x 250W Mh's or 4 x 110w VHO's.
My concern is that if I go with the MH's I'll burn any softies I want to keep, but if I go the VHO route I'll regret limiting myself on livestock I can keep.
Is the bottom 1/2 of a 24" tank deep enough to keep softies w/ MH's?
THANKS!
Chuck

P.S. Would you expect a SIGNIFICANT heat output diffence between those two setups? I've always had heat problems in the summer. They would both be in a canopy with HEAVY ventilation.

 

[Guest]

Jim,
THANKS for the reply!
However, I have to narrow it down to MH or VHO. I need to let the tank run over the summer (my wife keeps the house at 78F in the summer) to see what type of heat problems I have.

 

[Guest]

Sue,
For ventilation I am planning on having at least 2 input and 2 exhaust fans (computer type) in the canopy.
In the cabinet I'm planning on more exhaust fans, how many I don't know yet because my brother (a cabinet maker) is building me a custom stand & canopy. I will also have at least one "clip on" fan running on the Wet/Dry.
THOUGHTS????????

 

[Guest]

I would go with the MHs. 2x 250 watt 10,000K bulbs and 2x 110 watt VHO actinics would make for a spectacular set of lights for the tank. This is what I have on my 180 gallon, although I have 3x MHs with the two VHOs.

If you place any softies that you want at the bottom of the tank they will flourish, and you can still keep clams and SPS since you are using the MH lighting.

note: I have a cabbage leather that I just can't seem to get rid of. It is low down in the base of my rock formation, and everytime I take some rock (with what I think is all of the leather) out and replace it, the leather springs back up on the new rock. Where from, I do not know. I have had this leather for years and was hoping that the extra lighting of the MHs would burn it out, but it is actually growing faster.

 

[Guest]

Chuck, by ventilation what exactly do you mean?? Will you have fans or what to export heat out?? I can only add that heat will be put off by both set-ups you have outlined here. It's how much heat will be put off.

I think with aquascaping the tank in a manner that the soft corals are kept low with maybe some overhangs will be fine if you go with the halides.

 

[Guest]

Anyone have a used chiller they want to sell?
LOL

 

[Brad]

I decided to go with the 4x110 on my 55 and will use the same for the 120 I'm setting up. May end up adding 2 more 110s if I think i need more after it runs for a while.

I chose VHO for a few reasons. One cost, two heat, three size of the hood.

Cost - People will tell you that MH cost just a little morethan VHO which is true. But then most MH owners supliment with VHO or PC's which means they end up buying the VHO ballast and bulbs anyways. Bulb replacement is also a big expense difference.

Heat - While my wife does not keep the house at 78 my tank still averages 80-81 during the day with VHO. I have them 4" from the water and two fans in the back corners blowing into the hood at an angle. When I put my hand behind the hood in the middle, I can feel the heat being pushed out. I don't want to ever have to buy a $600 chiller.

Hood Size - I can keep a low profile hood with VHO. My hood is 8" tall. 1.5" hang over the plastic trim leaving 6.5" above the tank. The bulbs take about 2-2.5" of space meaing my bulbs are 4" over the water surface. With MH becuase of the heat and space required to spread light you probalby need 10" minimum and 12-14" would be better for the bulbs above the water surface. This means a hood at least 14" and maybe 16" tall. I did not want that.

You will find as many different opinions on lighting as their are types of light. The only constant is if you go VHO to use URI bulbs. Then you need to determine how many atinic, 50/50 and daylights. The brand of choice if Icecap for the ballast but there are cheaper ballast such as workhorse and others.

If you go MH you need to determine the wattage, ballast, type of bulb, brand of bulb and K rating. Did I leave anything out?

I took 3 months to make my final decision. Lots of reading and learning on reefcentral. You should see my process when I decide to buy a car. Hell, you'd think I was buying the empire state building.

 

[Guest]

Unless you are getting a chiller you can't run MH in a 78 degree house and not have a seafood boil.
Unless...
You have a bunch of fans and evaporate a ton of water each day
Then...
You will have to get a De-humidifier

 

[Guest]

Based on the details above, do you think a 1/4 hp chiller is enough cooling capacity?