So far it looks like PC's are my best bet. I haven't seen a VHO fixture that puts out that many watts. Custom Sea Life (CSL) makes a hood with 6 96 watt PC tubes. that totals to 576 watts or 3.84 wpg. From what I have read PC's put out about twice the light per watt as VHO so this would be equal to over 1000 watts??? Also my tank has a wood canopy on top to hide plumbing & hardware (so my wife will let me keep it in the living room). My current light fits inside but the PC hood would need to sit on top (for ventilation) & that puts the lights about 8" above the water & makes it almost impossible to access the tank. I could probably slide the hood back enough to open the glass top & feed the fish but if I needed to arrange anything I would have to remove the light & canopy & work in the dark. I spoke to CSL & as an alternative to the hood they suggested MH/PC pendants (175wMH & 2x32wPC) 3 pendants would give me 717 watts but this would be a lot more expensive, more work to set up & probably more light than I need. Is there a better alternative that I might be missing?
Sorry if I'm rambling.
Chris
-----Original Message-----
From: Shane Clays [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Friday, October 05, 2001 1:44 PM
To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'
Subject: RE: lighting suggestions ?
Not sure you have gotten a response to this... but...
I would not use MHs of you are sure you are keeping LPS and soft corals. Go
with VHO or PC combos. MHs will wash your LPS out. Go with a VHO or PC combo
that will give you about 4-5 watts per gallon, and use a combo of daylight
and actinic bulbs. Also, if you are still in the planning stages, start
planning on how you are going to circulate your water for a nice even flow
throughout the tank. Remember, LPS corals like some current (preferably
alternating), but not a lot....
IMO,
Shane C.
