Lighting Advice...

[Mr Cob]

I have just purchased an Ice Cap 660 Ballast with 4 VHO/T12 48" bulbs at 110Watts each. All 4 are 180° internal reflectors giving 40% more light intensity. 2 are Super Actinic, 1 Actinic White 12k and 1 10K.

I have a couple of questions:

1) The total equals 440 watts (it's actually like 50watts more because I have a corallife 50/50 too), does the 40% extra actually raise my watts per gallon?

2) I have a 120gal with about 125-150 pounds of live rock, fish and some softies...with this lighting setup what all can I keep in regards to corals? Is this enough for SPS?

3) How much help would reflectors be for the bulbs? They advertise that the refelectors increase 90% light intensity...is this really true?

Thanks for your time...I do a lot of research outside of Maast.org but it's priceless to be able to ask experienced hobbyists!

[alton]

The internal reflectors do not put out more light, they redirect the light in the direction you want it to go. It is not watts per gallon, but depth of tank that matters. The deeper the tank the more watts and the type of light you will require to grow corals. The tanks that I have seen that only use VHO have softies and LPS. My onlly stint with VHO was for suppliment with actinic and after 8 months when the lamps lost 40% of there life I quit using them

[Mr Cob]

The internal reflectors do not put out more light, they redirect the light in the direction you want it to go. It is not watts per gallon, but depth of tank that matters. The deeper the tank the more watts and the type of light you will require to grow corals. The tanks that I have seen that only use VHO have softies and LPS. My onlly stint with VHO was for suppliment with actinic and after 8 months when the lamps lost 40% of there life I quit using them

Thanks Alton for your reply. I appreciate the advice/info. I still have plenty of room in my canopy so eventually I will add more intense lighting (MH) when the funds allow for it.

I'll stick with softies and LPS for now.

[brewercm]

You could also look into T5's and fit many more into your canopy. I know some people are keeping some SPS under T5's now and as long as you have enough I suppose it would work. Lighting is a constant evolving thing in this hobby and at one point VHO was the end all also.

[Mr Cob]

Thanks Cliff.

[alton]

I believe your Ice Cap will run T-5HO lamps if you decide to change.

[Mr Cob]

I believe your Ice Cap will run T-5HO lamps if you decide to change.

Yes it will and in a few more months I will upgrade after I use some of the lamp life on the VHO's.

Thanks again for the info :)