New Reefer

[perpetual98]

In my honest opinion, I think you'd be happier with a T5 setup. I've got a 4x54W T5 setup over my 120G tank and I've got SPS corals and anemones as well as shrooms/rics/plate corals/zoos in there.

One of the best kits out there is the ReefGeek 4x54W IceCap T5 retro and their price is $395 shipped.

I can do the same package for you with CoralVue bulbs for $385 shipped if you're interested. If you really want VHO, I'll work up a quote for you.

Eric

[perpetual98]

For what it's worth, this is my 120G tank that has teh 4x54W setup with the IC600:

[ReefNeck]

It seems to me that perpetual98 has you on the right track for lights so I'll let you guys work that out from this point. Anything else I can do, Let me know.

Keri

[sticky]

One of the best kits out there is the ReefGeek 4x54W IceCap T5 retro and their price is $395 shipped.

I can do the same package for you with CoralVue bulbs for $385 shipped if you're interested. If you really want VHO, I'll work up a quote for you.

I am curious what the difference is between that and
http://www.hellolights.com/4lamvhoretki2.html
with a 660 IceCap.

As well what is the VHO for/do for the tank and is something that is really needed?

[perpetual98]

You'll have to get someone with some VHO knowledge to chime in on that. I've never used VHO, so I personally don't know. I know that the bulbs are larger and they don't have the super-efficient parabolic reflectors for each bulb like the T5 setup.

[sticky]

One of the best kits out there is the ReefGeek 4x54W IceCap T5 retro and their price is $395 shipped.

I can do the same package for you with CoralVue bulbs for $385 shipped if you're interested. If you really want VHO, I'll work up a quote for you.

I am curious what the differences is between the light fixtures/lights from ReefGeek and this one
http://www.hellolights.com/4lamvhoretki2.html with a 660 IceCap.

If you had a link to what the kit includes or something that gives more information so I could see the differences that would be help full in comparing the pros/cons and which one is best for what I need.

Sorry for the questions I am just trying to learn what I need, what is good to have, things I don't really need, but is nice to have and things that are not required (AKA the BIO-Wheel filter I got, but they made a mistake on and didn't charge me for)

[sticky]

Ok my wife and I went to a couple of stores around the area to look at Corals and we have decided to go with Soft Corals, Anemones, and Fish. I hope this helps with my decision on the lighting.

If you could send me some price ideas for various things perpetual98 I would appreciate it.

As well VHO = Very High Output a normal 40 Watt bulb with VHO can produce 110 Watt output, if I understand everything correctly.

[dakar]

The differences between T5 and VHO tubes are pretty significant, VHO's have an internal reflector (actually part of the tube), they are T10s, the number following the T is the diameter of the tube in 1/8" increments... ie T5 is 5/8".

If my memory is serving me right, VHO's are effective but not nearly as effecient as T5's and suffer from a shorter lifespan. On the other hand overdriven T5's (using an IceCap or WorkHorse7 ballast) with quality reflectors T5's will reach near VHO outputs without dramactiaclly shifting the color output or sacrificing bulb life.

[sticky]

Is this the kit you are talking about
http://reefgeek.com/products/categor...ng/104434.html

Also my only question is with this setup how hard or is it possible to wire to a timer base for different light combinations for a dawn/day/dusk type of setup for the Corals?

[perpetual98]

That's the kit I was referring to. With the IceCap 660 and the ARO ballast in that VHO link that you had, that ballast will turn all 4 lights on at the same time and you won't be able to do a dawn/dusk effect. You need multiple ballasts to be able to run timers for the dawn/dusk effect.