Lighting & Voodoo

[Vermonter310]

I know the old watts per gallon adage has fallen out of favor but what is it, that "most important quality" I should be looking for from whatever type of light I get ? Intensity? penetration? what ? as it relates to a mixed tank of fish, low & high light requiring corals.
also,
when referring to corals light needs most everyone refers to moderate and high? what do these mean? can you have High light from VHO's and PC's ? what would be moderate and high for each? or is High not attainable for these and only a virtue of MH or $$$$$$$$ as I like to refer to them. If I'm getting the same intensity from 260 watts of PC as 440watts of VHO because they penetrate better, at what depth does this become a factor?
Where can I get some "good" information on this subject? The more reading I do the more it seems to me that lighting a marine tank is Voodoo.....and it's painfully obvious that it's the one area that is being used as a huge $ maker for the retail industry at the moment. $175 for a ballast? come on.
Sorry for the rant...I've been reading about lighting every chance and in every place I can but everything I read contradicts everything else! the whole damn thing is driving me crazy...... .......short trip

Thanks for any and all input.

Mike

[kevinpo]

Hello Mike,
Here is a link that may shed some light on lighting basics (pun intended)

http://www.masla.com/lighting.html

Regards,
Kevin

[Vermonter310]

Hello Mike,
Here is a link that may shed some light on lighting basics (pun intended)

http://www.masla.com/lighting.html

Regards,
Kevin

Excellent info Kevin, Thanks!

Mike

[Poseidon]

Great link Kevin, I'll save that one for myself... I like how the author just lays it out there and does not really "recommend" one over the other...