Bulb combinations

[reddhaus]

I am planning to build a canopy for my 125gal tank. It will be suspended from the ceiling with some type of chain or cable. As of right now i am planning to use (3) 400w MH and (4) 72" VHO bulbs. I would use Blueline electronic ballasts for the MH and Icecaps for the VHO.

The first question is what would be the best combinations for these bulbs to achieve the best overall color and intensity for the reef inhabitants and the most pleasing to the eye.

The second question i have would be if anyone has ever mounted all of their ballasts on the top of the canopy? Hidden and well ventilated of course. I want to try to reduce the clutter of having all of these ballasts inside the stand and to eliminate the possibility of the ballasts getting wet. What problems might i run into with this design?

[mrok12]

I have a 120 gallon (48*24*24) and have the following bulb combination. 2 400 watt 20K Radiums and 2-250 watt 65K Iwasakis. I like the color rendition and the corals have really colored up with the radiums. I have heard anecdotal reports that using "true" VHO actinics will provide enough of the shorter wavelenght light to really bring agout some vibrant colors used in conjuction with 65k bulbs to enhance growth. Just my .02 though. Some guys here are using all MH combination with 10K and 20K combos being very common.

MROK12

[reddhaus]

My gut instinct is telling me to use (3) 20k Radium MH and use (4) actinic white VHO bulbs.

It was suggested to me that i should use (3) 10k Ushio Mh and use (4) actinic blue VHO bulbs.

Is this just two ways to arive at the same point? Which one would have better growth rates? Which one would have better color?

[mrok12]

There is an ongoing debate regarding the the 20k bulbs. First they only las around 9 months before the spectrum degrades. This is dut to the fact that the shorter blue and violet wavelengths are degraded and the color shifts. The same hold true with the 10 k I beleive. 65 k bulbs last forever from what others and some research has said. I for one favor 20k bulbs if combined with a lower kelvin rated bulb to help balance out the blue apperance. I also am convinced that they help with maintaining the brilliant colors of the corals. It is all in what you like though. The 10 k ushio is a great bulb too. I would get the 10K if I were only going to have one type of bulb.

MROK12

[reddhaus]

Thank you for your input. I think i have decided to go with the 10k MH and actinic blue VHO combination to start with. I don't think there is really a way to get what you want until you do some experimentation. I just want to be as close as i can on the first shot. Hate wasting $$ .

Something else you might be able to give me your opinion on. I am thinking about using only 2 VHO bulbs now instead of 4. This would give me more room in my canopy to use better reflectors for the MH bulbs. Do you think that losing 2 160w VHO bulbs would be a wise trade off to get a more efficient reflector for the MH bulbs?

Thanks Again!

[Reefland]

Are you going with the SE or DE bulbs? 250w?

I think you will be just fine with 2 VHO actinics. If you went with 4, you might consider using 2 actinic and 2 50/50 URI's. If your going with 250w MH, I don't think you'll miss the 160w of VHO.

Just my opinion,
Scott Z.

[reddhaus]

Hi Reefland!

I planned on using (3) single ended 400w bulbs.

I know that by useing 400w MH bulbs i should have a good amount of light but i am looking at the VHO bulbs to give me more flexability in coloration. Just to be able to "tweek" the level of white vs. blue.

I could have 1840 total watts with less efficent reflectors
or
I could have 1520 total watts with more efficent reflectors.

[PerryinCA]

If you can, put all 4 lamps in the canopy, and use color coded bullet connectors for the VHO wiring. That way you can connect or disconnect lamps at your leisure to 'tweak' the actinic any way you want.

Just an idea that I have considered.

-Perry

[dattack]

Where do you find these color bullet connectors?

[PerryinCA]

You can find bullet connectors for cheap at the local hardware store. Just be creative with ways to "pair" them. Colored tape, paint pens...ect.

Icecap has the wiring schematics for all of thier ballasts on thier website.


-Perry