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Halide vs. PC/VHO, what do i do? |
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#1 |
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Just Moved In
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: FL
Posts: 14
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Halide vs. PC/VHO, what do i do?
I recently purchased a surfline 90 gal. aquarium. I need to buy lights for a reef tank, (preferably 450+ watts), however here's the problem . . . The kind of tank I have doesn't allow for much playing room. I need to lay the light fixture/hood right on top of the tank whcih has merely a glass top.
I wanted to go with a 175x2 halid/ 65x2 VHO combo, but will the halides get too hot to lay on top of the tank??? I really want to do a halide system, but if it is too hot, what suggestions do you have? The best retail system I could find for PCs are 4 X 96 PCs. But I wanted more wattage than this. Anyone know what I can do, or if the halides will be fine? |
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#2 | |
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Governor
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Quote:
And with halides, your coral choices aren't hindered because of not enough light. - Elmo ![]() |
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#3 |
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Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 20,691
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That wave front makes it almost impossible to construct a DIY canopy for that tank. You may want to consider a suspended light fixture such as the AB-Aqualine Aquaspacelight or something similar.
It is almost impossible to run a reef tank with strong lighting and still keep the glass top in place unless you are running a chiller. And no, you cannot place a metal halide fixture directly on top of the glass top.
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Ninong |
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#4 |
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Just Moved In
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Virginia
Posts: 28
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For what it's worth...I'm quite happy with my T-5's. I'm running two 6x39 watt fixtures. They run cool, are painfully bright and the bulbs last 18-24 months. However, they're new technology, can be pricey, and there are no set rules to follow as for what mixture and wattage of bulbs are needed for particular applications. I admit that I'm basically running an experiment with my tank's lighting. So far, I like what I see. T5's MAY be a reasonable alternative to MH.
Blue Skies JJ I really want to do a halide system, but if it is too hot, what suggestions do you have? The best retail system I could find for PCs are 4 X 96 PCs. But I wanted more wattage than this. Anyone know what I can do, or if the halides will be fine?[/quote] |
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#5 | |
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Governor
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Quote:
Oh, i thought it was just a regular rectangular tank. Missed that - Elmo |
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#6 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: MI USA
Posts: 106
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Quote:
And of course, they are almost certainly on a different voltage/current/something that means I'd have to replace all my current ballasts and stuff to switch right ? Steve |
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#7 | |
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Just Moved In
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Virginia
Posts: 28
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I have to stress once again that my experience with T5s is purely subjective. With that said....
My Tek Light T5 fixtures with 39 watt bulbs are considerably brighter than a friend's 4x 95 watt VHO hood. Much better color and light penetration too. Makers claim 300% more light than VHO of same wattage. As for your ballasts; you're going to have to talk to the manufacturer about that...I'm a thermodynamics guy...electricity scares me. I bought my lights as pre-fab fixtures. The bulbs are said to have a 18-24 month lifespan before beginning to shift spectrum, depending on the bulb. I have found a site that offers a good selection at really good prices. I haven't ordered from them yet though. They have retro kits. http://www.aqualuxlighting.com In a nutshell....Am I happy with T5s? Yes. For me, the T5s are an agreeable compromise between inadequate VHO lighting and MH lighting that simply won't work with my tank's location. Attached is a poorly focused photo taken in a dark room without flash. Only 4 of the 6 bulbs are lit on the left side of the tank when this photo was taken. (Was in the process of setting the system up and broke a bulb...) Like I said..it's not MH, but it's a far cry from VHO too. Hope this helps JJ Quote:
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