3 VHO's - what combo should I run?

[Fignewton]

That about says it. Going to be running 3 48" VHO's over a 75 reef. I just keep softies, etc, though I do have a thriving anchor.

I'm currently running two bulbs. (going to max out my 430 with 3 bulbs) A super actinic and an actinic white.

Should I run two actinic whites and one super actinic?

Or, A super actinic, actinic white and an aqua sun?

Your thoughts?

 

[MikeS]

I'd try a mix of the 3 different bulbs first...if you don't like it, you can always mix and match with other combinations later...

MikeS

 

[Elmo18]

IMO...I would use...2x Actinic Whites (12,000Kelvin) and 1x Super Actinic all URI VHOs with the internal reflectors, not the other version.

You can stagger them IMO....Super Actinic - Actinic White - Actinic White, or Actinic White - Super Actinic - Actinic White.

Front of tank
|======================================| (Super Actinic)
|======================================| (Actinic White)
|======================================| (Actinic White)
Back of tank

Again...experiment..

Best,
Ilham

 

[Jiddy]

What i would do, and this is what i do, is get two whites and a actinic blue like Elmo said, but i would put the blue in the back, call me superstitious, but thats me!

 

[liveforphysics]

Just as another idea, you could sell the icecap 430, buy 2 workhorse7 ($35 apiece) and run 4 bulbs over driven in series.

2 Workhorse 7s will overdrive harder than a icecap660, they instant start (means you only need 1 wire per side, so it only takes half the wires), and they cost a small fraction of the price.

If you gotta just run 3 though, go with elmos recomendation.

 

[Steven Pro]

Or, A super actinic, actinic white and an aqua sun?

This would be my choice.

 

[Fignewton]

Thanks for all your suggestions!