lighting purchase?

[concon]

I am looking a a new light for my 75gal, please tell me what you think and how far this should take me into the future! 2x175 MH with 2x110w VHO ( Ice caps extra) Thanks!

 

[ChrisRD]

Personally, I think the MH + VHO actinic combination is a great choice. Assuming you have a standard 75 gallon tank (about 21" tall) that lighting should be sufficient for keeping just about anything. Some of the more light demanding organisms might color-up and grow better under 250 watt halides, so it's an option you might want to consider if you're interested in those types of critters (ie. some species of Acropora, T. max / T. crocea clams, most anemone species, etc.).

HTH and good luck.

 

[Raskal311]

id go with 2-250watt 14k hqi bulb and forget the vho.

 

[Juck]

I think your choice is fine,,,, I run the same on my 75 except I use PC's for actinics. I often wish I'd sprung a little extra for 250 watters though

I'm using the xm20k bulbs at the moment and they're pretty good,, nice and blue. I've used the Hamilton 20k bulbs as well but after a couple of months they looked exactly the same as the hamilton 14k bulbs,, the blue faded pretty quickly.

 

[concon]

the light has the 2x250 hqi option for another $150.00. Would that be overkill with 220w vho also? Will 2x250 hqi be enouph down the road? SO MANY QUESTION!!! :roll: Thanks for everyones help.

 

[Anonymous]

More is always better :wink: :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

That should be a fine setup, Concon. I wouldn't call 2x250 overkill, it is a question of $ for the most part. It would give you more flexibility on light-hungry corals and where you would be able to place them.

In addition to the purchase cost, it will be slightly more expensive to run, tougher to keep the water cool, make your AC work a little harder, etc.

 

[Anonymous]

I think it is a fine set up. Like Brian said the 250's are not overkill but have issues like heat and cost over the 175's.

 

[SnowManSnow]

More is better to an extent....

B

 

[Anonymous]

More is better.

I have 2X175 and 2X110 over my 75. SPS on the bottom don't grow nearly as fast as they do at the top.

Temperature is the real issue. I manage mine without a chiller and am not sure if that would be the case with 250's.

Louey

 

[concon]

Thanks everybody. Heat and $$$ are both issues I need to consider. Am I to assume that with 2x250hqi I will need a chiller?

 

[ChrisRD]

Not necessarily. It really depends on how well ventilated the hood is, what the ambient room temps and humidity level is, how close you mount the lamps to the water, etc. If the tank is in a room that has AC you may be able to get away with just fans - many people do.

 

[concon]

OK! Thanks to all of you that offered good advice I have decided on 2x250 MH with 2x110 VHO actenics. How does that sound? Going to look for a part time job, Now I am really poor! :wink:

 

[ChrisRD]

Sounds good. Light definitely won't be a limiting factor in what you can keep. :wink:

 

[concon]

thanks everybody for your help! You are right ChrisRD, now my BRAIN is the only limiting factor! :?