Please help with several questions Lighting and sps

[awj]

I am new to your site and have found it very informative, and the best I have seen.


I am currently looking to upgrade my lighting on a 75 gal reef. Currently I run 4 110 watt VHO's two atinics and two 5050. Speaking with several folks locally they tell me to add another set of 4 -110 watts tubes to the hood, thus have 880 watts total. ( I have two spare Ice cap 660 ballasts)

Will this allow me to keep acro's and other sps brightly colored? or
Do I need to toss the VHO lighting and go to MH?

If MH than I would prefer double ended lamps. How many? What wattage?

I currently have acro's and other sps but they are not at there most intense colors. Thay are located currently 4 inches below water surface and VHO's are located 3 inches above water ( I know Close).

Tank:
75 gal 48x18x18
oversized protien skmmer
Dual chamber cal reactor
external iwalki pump
small via aqua cc25 chiller ( needs upgarde to 1/4 horse)
15 watt uv
lamps on 8 hours per day
water text book perfect. 12dkh 480 cal, etc

Currently everything in tank thriving but I am after firing up the colors I know the acros and other sps are capable of.

Thanks to all that offer there views

Tony
South Florida

[kevinpo]

Hi Tony,
Adding more VHO's will just give you more of what you have. It will increase the coverage area not the intensity. For a 75 gal tank a couple of 250W bulbs will provide the results you are looking for. You will need to go through a slow acclimation process so your corals that are used to VHO's have time to adapt to the more intense lighting.

HTH,
Kevin
PS: Welcome to Reefland

[zhenya]

Totally agree with Kevin here and that is exactly what I have over my 75g tank.

Going to MH lighting will allow you to lower the location of your Acroporas and believe me, this is very important point( all you have to do is look at my tank and see what growth spurt can do).
I also like to welcome you to the site and Thank you! for you kind words about it.

[awj]

I have seen the Coral Life 48" Dual 150 HQI AND DUAL 96W PC. Would this work or should I consider the Dual 250 HQI and PC Set up. I am looking for a hood that is ready to go out of the box. Any suggestions?

Running 250 HQI's and PC/VHO will my 1/4 horse chiller do it or should I considered a large unit, since I will be replacing that as well?

Finally has anyone done a power consumption post on what they think these fixture cost to run per month on average, considering everyone has different price for power I know this question is only able to be answered by a approximation.

Thanks again!

[kevinpo]

I don't think you will be happy with the 150W bulbs. They are the most common type I see for resale. PFO makes a great 36" or 48" fixture that holds 2 halides and 2 VHO's. Both will work well for a standard 75 gal tank.

HTH,
Kevin

[kevinpo]

Electricity is very inexpensive here in the Northwest. It only costs about $5 a month for the type of fixture I am referring to.

Regards,
Kevin

[charlie]

Electricity is very inexpensive here in the Northwest. It only costs about $5 a month for the type of fixture I am referring to.

Regards,
Kevin

I wish I could say that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tank]

Look into T5's. No matter what anyone says, they are a great replacement for MH. My 300g SPS tank has never looked better since swapping out my 4 250w DE's. I went with 16 54w T5's and am having good growth and great coloration. Just a thought.