vho bulbs

droberts · 12/26/2009, 11:25 PM

i have a 125 with 4 6 foot t-12 vho bulbs driven by 2 icecap 430 ballasts and i want to grow sps and get good coloring of my corals. i have been looking to order new bulbs but there are 3 types available 10k aquasun 100% white spectrum ,12k actinic white 50% actinic and 50% white, and super actinic 100% blue spectrum i have 2 actinic white and 2 super actinic in my canopy now wondering if when i replace my bulbs if it would be better to go with 2 aquasun 10ks and 2 super actinics so i can give more white light if that will help me grow sps faster? i would like to use what i already own if i can but im not opposed to an upgrade bulbs ballasts or scratching the vho's for a 3 250watt hqi unit if i can find a used one priced right. thanks for your input Dan

jimsplace · 12/27/2009, 06:28 AM

I run all VHO on my 90 and use 2 atinic white, 1 super atinic (03) and added the new 454 bulb several months ago (total 4 blulbs/440 watts). Love the color the 454 adds. You may have to shop around to find the 454 bulb but it is great! It is a true blue not the violet like the 03 super atinics. I'm not sure of the PAR vlaue, but I'm sure its higher than the 03's. My tank is mostly sps and they grow very well, but you do have to watch what you buy. I have to stay away from the high light demanding acros. MH would be a great option if $ is not a problem. I am happy with my set up now, I am looking at a controller and dosing pumps to automate my system first and then possibly adding MH's.

Chris Mills · 12/27/2009, 08:51 AM

I use 03 blue actinics. They work well for color. Very nice actinic blue look they give the tank.

The 454 bulb is also nice. It is more of a royal blue and is brighter than the 03 blue.

Both are good choices.

droberts · 12/28/2009, 10:01 AM

anyone else running a all vho set up?

jimsplace · 12/29/2009, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by droberts

anyone else running a all vho set up?

I posted some pic's, if you want to see what I'm doing with my sps under VHO.

droberts · 12/29/2009, 12:35 PM

yes i would like to see the pics. where would i find them and what bulbs and ballests are you running? thanks Dan

jimsplace · 12/29/2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by droberts

yes i would like to see the pics. where would i find them and what bulbs and ballests are you running? thanks Dan

Click on my user name and and go to my album. I am using the URI (UV now I think) bulbs; 2-atinic white, 1-super atinic (03) and 1-454 bulb using Ice Cap 660 & 430 ballasts.

droberts · 12/29/2009, 06:59 PM

wow beautiful tank!! with the right bulbs i can grow the sps that i want. what is the 660 driving? and how often do you change your bulbs?

jimsplace · 12/30/2009, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by droberts

wow beautiful tank!! with the right bulbs i can grow the sps that i want. what is the 660 driving? and how often do you change your bulbs?

Thanks, I have the super atinic (03) and the 454 bulbs on one ballast and have them come on an hour before and stay on an hour after my 2 atinics (white) which are on the other ballast.

I change my 03 bulb every 8-9 months. I have found that I will start getting some unwanted algae growth when they get old. The atinic white are good for about 10 months, maybe a little more. This is my first 454 bulb and I'm not sure how long it will last before it starts downhill. I would suggest that you don't push your bulb life to long, I have found that when you do, you start having problems with unwanted algae. I also don't run a fan on my bulbs which might extend their life a little more, I have been thinking about adding a fan though.

12/26/2009, 11:25 PM	#1
droberts Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: stow ohio Posts: 1,277	vho bulbs i have a 125 with 4 6 foot t-12 vho bulbs driven by 2 icecap 430 ballasts and i want to grow sps and get good coloring of my corals. i have been looking to order new bulbs but there are 3 types available 10k aquasun 100% white spectrum ,12k actinic white 50% actinic and 50% white, and super actinic 100% blue spectrum i have 2 actinic white and 2 super actinic in my canopy now wondering if when i replace my bulbs if it would be better to go with 2 aquasun 10ks and 2 super actinics so i can give more white light if that will help me grow sps faster? i would like to use what i already own if i can but im not opposed to an upgrade bulbs ballasts or scratching the vho's for a 3 250watt hqi unit if i can find a used one priced right. thanks for your input Dan

12/27/2009, 06:28 AM	#2
jimsplace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 633	I run all VHO on my 90 and use 2 atinic white, 1 super atinic (03) and added the new 454 bulb several months ago (total 4 blulbs/440 watts). Love the color the 454 adds. You may have to shop around to find the 454 bulb but it is great! It is a true blue not the violet like the 03 super atinics. I'm not sure of the PAR vlaue, but I'm sure its higher than the 03's. My tank is mostly sps and they grow very well, but you do have to watch what you buy. I have to stay away from the high light demanding acros. MH would be a great option if $ is not a problem. I am happy with my set up now, I am looking at a controller and dosing pumps to automate my system first and then possibly adding MH's.

12/27/2009, 08:51 AM	#3
Chris Mills Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: San Luis Obispo, California Posts: 96	I use 03 blue actinics. They work well for color. Very nice actinic blue look they give the tank. The 454 bulb is also nice. It is more of a royal blue and is brighter than the 03 blue. Both are good choices.

12/28/2009, 10:01 AM	#4
droberts Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: stow ohio Posts: 1,277	anyone else running a all vho set up?

12/29/2009, 12:35 PM	#6
droberts Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: stow ohio Posts: 1,277	yes i would like to see the pics. where would i find them and what bulbs and ballests are you running? thanks Dan

12/29/2009, 06:59 PM	#8
droberts Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: stow ohio Posts: 1,277	wow beautiful tank!! with the right bulbs i can grow the sps that i want. what is the 660 driving? and how often do you change your bulbs?