basic lighting questions

[Venaman]

if i just want soft coral is 4 40w bulbs in a 60w tank sufficient. .
if not is VHO fluorescence reccommended over metal halide?
which is cheaper
which is best

what lighting do i need for soft corals and minimal hard corals in a tank
thanks

[Ninong]

Originally posted by Venaman:

if i just want soft coral is 4 40w bulbs in a 60g tank sufficient?

Yes.

if not is VHO fluorescence reccommended over metal halide?

VHO would be sufficient for soft corals and provide more intensity than the 4*40w NO tubes, thus giving you more options on what you could keep: soft corals, LPS, and some SPS & clams depending on placement and other factors. Most hobbyists consider metal halide lighting to be superior to all other forms of lighting.

which is cheaper?

The 4*40w NO fluorescent tubes might be the cheapest way to go but your possibilities would be more limited. It is difficult to answer your question when it comes to comparing VHO vs. metal halide. Let me give you some things to consider in reaching that answer: VHO tubes may have to be replaced more frequently than some brands of metal halide bulbs. Actinic VHO tubes must be replaced more often than daylight VHO tubes. Some metal halides must be replaced more frequently than others, e.g. Radium 20,000K. Some metal halide bulbs last longer than most, e.g. 6500K Iwasaki. Some metal halide bulbs are expensive ($129 ea), whereas other metal halide bulbs are rather inexpensive ($59 ea, Iwasaki 6500K 250w & 400w). Some metal halide bulbs produce an intense crisp bluish-white color, e.g., 150w & 250w 10,000K HQI DE lamps, and do not need much in the way of actinic supplementation. Other metal halides may appear greenish-yellowish, e.g., 6500K Iwaski, without significant actinic supplementation. Some metal halides run on inexpensive ballasts, others only work well with more expensive ballasts. As in most other things in life, you get what you pay for.

which is best?

I think it is best to consider your situation, what you intend to keep, how much you want to spend, etc., and then be guided accordingly. As far as which lighting is the best, I happen to prefer the 250w 10,000K HQI DE lamps for several reasons. However, the 400w and 250w 6500K Iwasaki lamps with sufficient VHO actinic supplementation would also be an excellent choice. I hesitate to mention the Radium 400w 20,000K lamps because these are rather expensive and must be replaced about every 8-9 months, but many people have had excellent success with these in bringing out intense coloration in SPS corals. If money were no object, I suspect that a system that incorporated a combination of 10,000K HQI DE lamps with 20,000K HQI lamps, plus some actinic supplementation might be ideal.

what lighting do i need for soft corals and minimal hard corals in a tank, thanks

4*40w NO fluorescents would work.

Ninong

[Venaman]

thanks for all that

[Ltspd]

Here is what I recommend. This will give you the option of either NO or VHO's. This ballast from what I understand powers both, or up to 440w max, is energy efficient, and is a pre-wired unit. You mount, plug and play.

http://lampsnow.com/4lampvhokit.html

Throw in a reflector for the hood, the bulbs and you would be set.

[Venaman]

im gonna check out the lights they have at my local fish store
i was talking to them earlier about the VHO they said its about 200 (canadian)


so thats good

but where are my hotdogs?