lighting options, what is your opinion (1 Viewer)

[Guest]

Between these 2 setups, which would you go with and why.

2 x 250 MH and 2 x 110 VHO Actinics.
Or
2 x 175 MH and 4 x 110 VHO (4 Actinics or 2 Acts and 2 Whites)

 

[Guest]

what size tank?

 

[fishcraze]

yeah ,need to know tank size first
however prefer the first one - more intensity
if you have mostly soft corals and lps and love the actinic - you can go with 2 14K or 20K MH bulbs

 

[Guest]

90 gallon tank.

I'm leaning towards the 250's with 2 VHO Actinics.
Right now I have the other setup and it takes up too much space in my canopy.

I have the MH mounted in the front part of my canopy that swings open.

 

[Guest]

My favorite corals are LPS (have 4)
I have variety of zoa's and some shrooms.
I have a couple leathers but probably going to move them to different tank or get rid of them.
I'd like to add a coupls SPS.
Also have xenia, anthelia, and 2 BTA's

 

[RR-MAN]

The 3rd option would be to get the 20k bulb and don't get the VHO at all for your actinic.

 

[Guest]

Very true, but I like the variety of light.
I usually have my MH cut off about 2 hours before my actinics.

What is the difference between 20K MH and Actinics (other than light intensity).
I know true actinics are more than just blue lights.
Do 20K MH have the same characteristics of true actinics?
What impact will it have on my corals if I change from 10k to 20k.
I was leaning towards going with 12k or 14k if I got the 250 MH's.
But still keeping the VHO Actinics.