Halide vs. PC/VHO, what do i do?

[bonsai411]

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?

[Elmo18]

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?

If you are not great with woodworking, I would ask a favor of a friend to build you a hood specifically for halides and VHO's or PC's. I believe this will be the best option for the long run.

And with halides, your coral choices aren't hindered because of not enough light.

- Elmo

[Ninong]

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.

[Airmotive]

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]

[Elmo18]

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.

Oh, i thought it was just a regular rectangular tank. Missed that

- Elmo

[SteveP]

For what it's worth...I'm quite happy with my T-5's. I'm running two 6x39 watt fixtures.

Just wondering what the benefit (other than size) the T-5s bring over the VHO T-12s ? I assume size is the key, you can put more in the same space ?

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

[Airmotive]

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

Just wondering what the benefit (other than size) the T-5s bring over the VHO T-12s ? I assume size is the key, you can put more in the same space ?

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