light question

tgriffin · 08/22/2009, 08:30 AM

Hey guys,

I have a friend that is setting up a 90 gal. It came with VHO lights. There are four of them (which I'm assuming they are 110 watts each), two which are actinic. He is planning on growing mainly soft corals with a few hard. Just wanted to ask some opinions on whether or not it would be better to leave it set up like it is now or go to 4 white bulbs? Also, Are VHO okay for growing corals?

Thanks

badwrasse · 08/22/2009, 08:53 AM

VHO bulbs are what we all used before power compacts, and T5's
they will grow corals fine justjust not as efficient as the current T5'bulbs also keep them the way they (two white two actinic) are as long as thee bulbs are good

WaterKeeper · 08/22/2009, 09:04 AM

I'd leave it as is at the present but when he gets new bulbs he might use 3 white and a single actinic. VHO can handle most corals and is better than PC lighting in my opinion. It is almost as good as T-5 but is less efficient. For a 90 gallon it should be fine.

tgriffin · 08/22/2009, 06:51 PM

thanks....I'll pass on the good info

08/22/2009, 08:30 AM	#1
tgriffin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 357	light question Hey guys, I have a friend that is setting up a 90 gal. It came with VHO lights. There are four of them (which I'm assuming they are 110 watts each), two which are actinic. He is planning on growing mainly soft corals with a few hard. Just wanted to ask some opinions on whether or not it would be better to leave it set up like it is now or go to 4 white bulbs? Also, Are VHO okay for growing corals? Thanks

08/22/2009, 08:53 AM	#2
badwrasse Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. louis Posts: 1,203	VHO bulbs are what we all used before power compacts, and T5's they will grow corals fine justjust not as efficient as the current T5'bulbs also keep them the way they (two white two actinic) are as long as thee bulbs are good __________________ GOT CRABS? Current Tank Info: 90gal RR,rock wall in progress, MRC sump, reef octopus XP2000I skimmer, marineland pro lighting 2-150w MH 4-54w T5's, hydor wavemaker with 2 #4 controllable pumps, and QuietOne 4000HH return pump.

08/22/2009, 09:04 AM	#3
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I'd leave it as is at the present but when he gets new bulbs he might use 3 white and a single actinic. VHO can handle most corals and is better than PC lighting in my opinion. It is almost as good as T-5 but is less efficient. For a 90 gallon it should be fine. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

08/22/2009, 06:51 PM	#4
tgriffin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 357	thanks....I'll pass on the good info