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Discussion in 'Reef Lighting' started by Midnight_Madman, Oct 9, 2004.

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  1. Midnight_Madman

    Midnight_Madman Montipora Digitata

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    WOULD I NEED HALIDES IF I AM JUST DOING SIMPLE CORALS? I AM NOT PLANNING ON GOING TO CRAZY...
     
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  3. Midnight_Madman

    Midnight_Madman Montipora Digitata

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    Whats better VHO or Compact bulbs?
     
  4. Craig Manoukian

    Craig Manoukian Giant Squid

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    I thought I was going with simple corals and then fell in love with a Crocea clam. Glad I had MHs!

    Get Pcs or VHOs with the greatest par value. Your bigeest challenge, as Matt indicated, will be the depth of your tank and getting sufficient light to the bottom will be difficult to achieve without MH lighting.
     
  5. Midnight_Madman

    Midnight_Madman Montipora Digitata

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    Im glad I didnt go for the 110 !
    Thats a really high one
     
  6. somethingfishy

    somethingfishy Purple Spiny Lobster

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    I was told that PC's tend to wash corals out even when they are actinic. Is this true?

    Also aren't PC's supposed to hold their spectrum longer?

    I was originally going to go with PC's but I am now swaying torwards VHO. I found a MH/PC fixture but haven't seen MH/VHO in a fixture. Looks like I may have to retro.
     
  7. Birdlady

    Birdlady Finback Whale

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  9. JohnO

    JohnO Moderator

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    That's a great picture BL :)

    It is also a good example of why the watts per gallon rule is misleading :)

    John
     
  10. GraviT

    GraviT Coral Banded Shrimp

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    [quote author=TA-Designs link=board=lighting;num=1097339253;start=0#0 date=10/09/04 at 09:27:33]Is this a deal or what! I just wanted to check some opinions on this before I orderd one!

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46314&item=4329442946&rd=1

    [/quote]


    I'm running this light on my 55 and so far, it's working pretty well. My leathers and polyps are growing like mad, my LPS and squamosa all seem happy and my montipora looks quite shaggy. In my case, this puts out 4 watts per gallon, but it is probably a little shy of what you need for happy coral in a 90.
     
  11. JohnO

    JohnO Moderator

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    [quote author=JohnO link=board=lighting;num=1097339253;start=15#16 date=10/10/04 at 21:38:41]
    That's a great picture BL :)  

    It is also a good example of why the watts per gallon rule is misleading :)

    John
    [/quote]

    Just so there is no misundertanding, I was referring to the way the light " punches" through the water, and you can see distinct areas that are very bright :)

    John
     
  12. Birdlady

    Birdlady Finback Whale

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    Exactly! I probably could put some SPS corals directly under the light in the center, and perhaps the bottom center, however, I would put lower light requiring animals to the sides.. ;) :D

    I think the watts per gallon is just a general rule of thumb when considering lighting. Not a hard fast rule....just like all else in this hobby!!! ;D