New Setup

[kk4rosie]

I'm looking for some suggestions. I just converted my 110g 5'X18"X24" tank into salt water and have been running it for about a year now. All is well and I want to start up my reef system. The problem I've run into is that about 3 months ago when I wanted to get this started I couldn't decide on a lighting system, and I am faced with that same problem today. With lighting being so pricey I would like to do it as "right as possible" the first time so I don't have double the costs a year down the road. I know lighting depends on the inhabitants of the tank, and I know I want to get into the LPS, SPS, and clams so I know I'll need Halides I just not sure which to go with... My latest delima was the type of bulb. I found a 48" 2-250w double-ended MH w/ 2-110w VHO hood for $880 with bulbs ballasts upgraded reflector and dual fans in the hood. The manufacturer was HLC. From what I've seen It seemed like a pretty good deal so I was trying to find out more about this particular lighting (DE) compared to socket type. As well as if this is enough lighting for my tank or too much... I'm a little confused, and I hope you can shed some LIGHT on the matter... Sorry I couldn't resist. Thanks.

[madman19710]

check out some of the sponors i bet you can find a good light cheaper than that

[Reefland]

Hi kk4rosie and Welcome to Reefland!

I have not heard of "HLC" lighting personally so I have no comments there. The double-ended systems have pretty favorable results during the various lighting analysis that have been performed.
250 hqi better than 400 watt??
In this thread you will see a comparison chart showing the PPFD readings at different wavelengths for the "HQI" double-ended bulbs, Iwasaki's and some others. The DE's showed favorable results in this comparison.

Back to the fixture you mentioned, the Aquaspacelights sound like a comparable product; made by Aqualine Bushke, these are really nice fixtures, have 2-250 DE halides and Osram PC's for actinics. This link is to a sponsor of Reefland who offers 5% discounts to members so the cost would be $810 + shipping.
http://www.customaquatics.com/custom...mid=LT-AB75367

Regards,
Scott Z.

[kk4rosie]

Sorry I meant HTC-Hamilton. I checked out the aqua space light but for $60 more would the VHO's be a better choice or is the 160W not all that necessary with the halides. Also how are VHO's as opposed to PC's or T5's?

[Reefland]

VHO's are nice for actinics, I adtmit nicer than PC's however when you look at the overall fixture, I think the Aqualine fixture is a much nicer, better made fixture. When your running halides, the additional wattage is not concerning, it is the coloration that the actinics provide that's important. I run my tank without any actinic so...

Regards,
Scott Z.

[Poseidon]

Make sure to check out Ocean Encounter, they are another sponsor. Vince hooked me up on a great deal with Halides, I went with the 10K AB bulbs. I did end up adding a VHO actinic for color though!!!