[golfish]

Rocky, You know its not so much that I dislike the spread as much as I dislike the color of the light. I'm not going to wait for 20K's any longer and from what I've seen of the 150 watt 20K's I'll pass on the DE 20K's all together. The coral color from the Radiums is a lot better also.

I'm assuming where talking about lights for your coral farm, correct? Lets say were talking a 48" long by 36" wide by 12" tall holding\grow out tank. If you used 2x400 watt 10K bulbs or even Iwasaki's you would be able to cover this whole tank if you hung the bulbs high enough and still have good light through out the whole tank. How many VHO's would you need to get that kind of INTENSE lighting?
So lets say you use the Iwasaki's, the bulbs will cost you 110.00 per 18 months, 10K's will be about 160.00 per 12 months. How much would the VHO's bulbs cost for the same watts? I don't use them so I don't have a clue.

Seeing what Tracy Gray and Steve Tyree get from the 20k's not to mention the guys who have frags of my corals under the 20K's have me convinced. I don't have high electric rates like some people here in So Cal so I can afford to run the lights and a chiller.

Ok it has basically been proven that MH's have much more PAR right? but I think most ppl would agree (atleast the ones who have had MH's for a while) that halides have hotspots and the intensity levels areas are somewhat spurratic compared to VHO's which have a better spread than MH's? You guys agree w/me so far?

Yes, I agree the spread is more complete but not as intense.

Ok that being said wouldnt VHO's be a much better lighting system for a setup that has JUST as many watts (or very close to it) but a very shallow tank...say like 12" as a frag ONLY system with nothing but frags all throughout the tank very evenly distrubuted. and the frags just a few inches below the water line and the VHO's just a few inches above the water line. I mean it makes more sense that VHOS have a very even and balanced spread...but yes the intensity is just no where near MH's

Rocky, I just don't think you'll get the color you want. I think it will keep SPS alive and well, polyped out but maybe not the color you want....notice I said "Maybe" Try it out dude, see what happens, but please don't tell me I have to get a 12" tall tank

[DJ88]

scuba,

I have some info that may help you a bit. How I don't know. lol

I did some testing of various VHO ballasts recently and PAR output for each. These numbers are all measured at 3"(distance I would mount them from the water) from the pair of lamps. I am still waiting to test the Workhorse 7 so I can add that in there as well.

Do keep in mind these numbers were taken at 3" I have a small testing enclosure to ensure the same distance for each measurement.

I plan on setting up a tank using the Workhorse 6 to see how it does for keeping SPS. I'll keep you posted on that one.

For ease of reading here is a breakdown of the PAR put out by each ballast running 75W VHO Aquasuns. Measured at 3" form the lamp.

Workhorse 5 (Two lamps parallel) - 220
Workhorse 5 (Single lamp parallel) - 230
Magnatek (Single lamp) - 243
Workhorse 6 (Two lamp parallel) - 281
Workhorse 6 (Single lamp parallel) - 296
PFO (Single lamp kit) - 296
Icecap 430 (Two lamp) - 330
Workhorse 5 (Two lamps series) - 358
Hellolights (Two lamp) - 371
Icecap 660 (Two lamp) - 380
Workhorse 6 (Two lamps series) - 499

[golfish]

That's some good stuff there DL88...thanks


Hey Rocky, I don't think you'll get reamed too much if you ask over at the SPS forum at RC. I'm sure you'll get some more good stuff over there.

[scubadude]

Not only are you a slick DIY dude, you have got some serious skillz! I am very impressed my man! I knew I would like you from the moment I saw you building your tank. That is some really good info....yes it will help me


Mark,

LOL I have posted the same thread in the SPS forum on RC....it kinda sizzled out. here it is

http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin...threadid=99968

[DJ88]

Scuba,

Anytime. If you need anything clarified let me know.

[eddie]

subadude
I've always thought it'd be neat to have tanks lit with VHO,Power compact ,175 watt MH ,250 MH, 400 MH

all with frags of the same corals that way the person buying could get a piece kinda adapted to the light it will be placed under

I've alwayed loved the info on the GARF site btw

[eddie]

I think a 55gal with a 6 inch sand bed is perfect for a proptank lit with VHO FWIW

[Newreefer]

Check out the champion lighting web site. They light their store tank with VHO's. They also have some shots in the customer tank gallery that have just VHO's on.
Some of the sps's are nicely colored but not stunning like under Mtndewman's or Kevinpo's tanks.
Like was said though, brilliant color doesn't mean healthy corals necessarily.

[Dazureus]

I'm still a little on the fence when it comes to lighting with MH vs. VHO. I'll readily agree that a deeper tank needs the single power level of a MH to reach the depths, but with my 50 breeder, I'm happy lighting it with 295 W from three VHO's. I have 12 SPS's in there that are thriving (RC growth example) and coloration is good. Here's my pudding:

[Ninong]

Dazureus,

Those are BEAUTIFUL!

[Reefland]

Originally Posted by Ninong

Dazureus,

Those are BEAUTIFUL!

I agree! Is the coral in the 3rd picture green and purple or is it more blue than purple?

Awesome either way, I really like that guy!

[Dazureus]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Is the coral in the 3rd picture green and purple or is it more blue than purple?

Thanks! From the front it's brown and blue. From the top it's green and purple/blue.