metal halide lighting....

[fishfriends05]

I have a 75 gallon reef that I am setting up. I've got everything else up and going but the lighting. In the past I have used [acronym:5e9f50509e="Very high output fluorescent"]VHO[/acronym:5e9f50509e]'s and powercompacts. I am wanting to use metal halides on this one. Coralife has some really nice setups. (two [acronym:5e9f50509e="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:5e9f50509e]'s complimented with 2 flourescents and fans. It also has the options to upgrade the flourescents to [acronym:5e9f50509e="Very high output fluorescent"]VHO[/acronym:5e9f50509e] and the [acronym:5e9f50509e="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:5e9f50509e]'s from 5500 to 6500, 10000 or 20000k. 100W or 175W [acronym:5e9f50509e="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:5e9f50509e]"s) What I want to know is what is the best combniation with these options. Should I use 2 100W [acronym:5e9f50509e="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:5e9f50509e] and upgrade to the [acronym:5e9f50509e="Very high output fluorescent"]VHO[/acronym:5e9f50509e]'s or run the two 175W and leave it at [acronym:5e9f50509e="Normal Output Fluorescents"]NO[/acronym:5e9f50509e] flourescents. And of course which [acronym:5e9f50509e="Kelvin or Potassium, depending on context"]K[/acronym:5e9f50509e] rating would be best. I am wanting to put the flourescents on one timer and the [acronym:5e9f50509e="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:5e9f50509e]'s on another timer with a shorter 'on' time. Any info or opinions would be greatly appreciated. [acronym:5e9f50509e="Thanks in Advance"]TIA[/acronym:5e9f50509e].

[reefrunner69]

What do you want to keep in the tank? 175s will work for [acronym:bbcc872771="Large polyped Scleractinian (stoney) coral"]LPS[/acronym:bbcc872771] and softies in a 75, but for [acronym:bbcc872771="Small Polyped Stoney"]SPS[/acronym:bbcc872771] and Clams I would recommend 250W halides.

As for combo...I am running a 12K halide with actinics and it is a very pleasing color, to me. Whether you would like it....hard to say. You can get an idea how it might look by looking through our bulb comparison gallery under the [acronym:bbcc872771="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:bbcc872771] section.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/bulb_comp/

[Anemoneman]

I am growing [acronym:de786e47b1="Small Polyped Stoney"]sps[/acronym:de786e47b1] (near the top of the tank) with 2 175W [acronym:de786e47b1="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:de786e47b1] 6500K supplemented with 2 [acronym:de786e47b1="Normal Output Fluorescents"]NO[/acronym:de786e47b1] actinic. Works pretty good - very bright white. For more of a blue tinge use 10000K or 12000K like Kevin. 250W or 400W would be better for growing [acronym:de786e47b1="Small Polyped Stoney"]sps[/acronym:de786e47b1] at any depth. If you want to grow a variety of coral ([acronym:de786e47b1="Small Polyped Stoney"]sps[/acronym:de786e47b1], [acronym:de786e47b1="Large polyped Scleractinian (stoney) coral"]lps[/acronym:de786e47b1], softies, [acronym:de786e47b1="Mushroom coral"]shrooms[/acronym:de786e47b1], zoos, etc.) then 175W is good. Place high light corals beneath the light, lower light corals lower in the tank or to the middle. Make shelves for very low light corals.