Lighting upgrade opinions

[stilmas]

Hello,
I'm thinking of upgrading my lighting from VHO to MH. I need your professional opinion if you guys think that I will be better off upgrading or not. Currently I'm running 380w VHO (PFO electronic ballast, 2-URI Super Actinics, 1-URI Actinic White, 1-URI Aquasun) on a 46 bow. I currently have a mix of hard and soft corals and no SPS at this time, but may be planning on it. Everything as of now is thriving very well and the tank is very bright. I know MH is a better light source, but in my case I'm just wondering if it's worth the $500 to upgrade if I'm not really going to do any better than I currently am. I'm thinking of replacing this lighting setup with one of those Coralife Aqualight Advanced series with 2x150w HQI and no actinics. If I got that setup I might think about replacing the 20k's with Phoenix 14k's for more PPFD and a brighter look. I need your professional opinion if you think it's worth it for me to spend $500+ to go from 380w VHO to 300w MH HQI. I don't want to make a custom hood so I'm looking at a boxed solution. Thanks in advance!

 

[Len]

IMO, going from 380W of VHO to 2x150W 14,000Ks is a lateral movement in terms of light output. I personally would only do the MH upgrade if you go with 2x150W @ 10,000K and supplement it with two actinics.

You may also want to consider switching to T5 lighting. You can fit at least eight T5s in the same area of the VHOs, and they will provide more PAR and longer bulb life then VHOs.

 

[LA-Lawman]

the coralife kit looks good. you should look at the current usa kit also....

I use the hamilton 14k's and like them.. I hear the phoenix bulbs are good. The current USA kit has actinics and moonlights.... so you could go with a 10-12k bulb also.... just a thought..

hth

 

[stilmas]

I like the suggestions. I had a tough time finding a nice 36". The brace in the middle of the tank has been a problem for me finding 36" fixtures since almost all were single MH in the middle. I figured it would be more of a lateral movement than an upgrade, but a better light source. I'm fighting myself trying to justify the green. The addiction will win most likely.

 

[LA-Lawman]

most longer tanks have some sort of bracing... unless it is 6" wide you will not even notice it... the reflectors are so good now a-days....

10k with actinics... is ur best bet.... did u see the current USA fixtrue... they are nice to look at also...

 

[Anonymous]

I have a 46 bow front as well and I upgraded to 2x 250W 20K about 2 months ago. I am very glad I did. I spent just under 500 for a pair of pendandts from hellolights.com. They were running a MACNA 10% discount, but if you call them you will probably get a discount of some kind. Mention Reefs.org and they mightt give you a 10%. I did. Anyway, great service and the 250 HQI are awesome. I might try the 14K XM bulbs next, but the corals are really growing well. SPS (lots) and LPS.

 

[stilmas]

Thanks for the info ranger. I will check that out. I do want 2xMH if I'm going to switch. I do like the dawn/dusk effect with actinics, but I'm willing to give that up for a nice MH look and intensity. My plan was to replace this setup with MH and use the VHO setup later when I move into a house and migrate to a larger tank and build a hood with MH + VHO and use this tank for a frag tank or something. Thanks guys, you are helping me spend my money wisely!

 

[stilmas]

Hey what about this from Hello Lights. 2xARO 250w HQI ballasts 2x PFO 250w mini pendants with XDE10k for $450? That sounds like a deal. I could even build a simple box for a fixture and mount the pendants along with some of my VHO actinics if I want to. I'm liking this better I think, let me know what you think.

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a good idea. But before you buy take a look around on the net. Check the sponsors here for there prices and compare the $. Marine Depot has good prices too.

 

[stilmas]

been doing that for a few weeks. I mainly use marine depot for most things I use, but all this stuff is on sale at this one place so far. I'm still looking around...Let me know if you know of something.

 

[Chemical_Whore]

14k are still the best light for MH setups. its no where near as blue as the 20k's and not as yellow as the 10k, they are really something you should look into. And maybe even into the 14k I heard about, never actuly seen the light given off by them.

Just giving you my thoughts on all of it.

 

[stilmas]

14's eh? Hmmm...I was looking at these 2 packages:

1. 2xARO Pro 250w
2xPFO mini pendants w/xm 10k or some brand 14K
2x3" fans

2. 2xEVC 250w
2xPFO mini pendants w/EVC 10k or EVC 14k
2x3" fans
Prices are pennies difference.

Going to construct a ~10" wide fixture and mount the pendants and only have room for 1 VHO (95w). Until I can build a complete hood, This is what I'll have to work with so the VHO is more for a little dusk\dawn effect than supplementation, so if the 10k's are too yellow, then 14k's will be it. How is the overall brightness and intensity with 14k?

Both packages offer bulbs with the ballasts so I'm limited to what they're bundling for this round of bulbs unless I want to add another $100+ to it. I'm so confused, with money torching my pocket. Any suggestions? Thanks for the replies!

 

[stilmas]

I went with the EVC package w/10k EVC. I hope it was a wise one. I heard about the same reviews for both. I'm trying 10k since I read alot of posts all over the net about 10k users going to 14-20k and then going back. If I don't like it I'll get something different when change time rolls around, or before. lol I'll post back when I get everything fired up.