VHO or PC

Shadowramy · 04/04/2006, 11:21 AM

Setting up a 65 gallon seahorse tank and would like to keep some softies such as mushrooms, GSP, leathers, etc.

Can decided on what would look the best 2x96w PC or 2 URI VHO's

Mr James · 04/04/2006, 01:09 PM

VHO's!! IMO they are more reliable, cheaper and you can keep better corals under them if you so choose in the future.

fishaholic911 · 04/04/2006, 04:14 PM

I agree

horkn · 04/04/2006, 04:24 PM

do you have the vho or pc equipment alreday? or do you need to purchase it all?

i ask, because if you are buying all neew stufff, t5ho is a much better solution. 2 x54 of t5ho will easily do the trick for the corals you want, and will last longer than either pc or vho, and cost less for electricity as well. not to mention be brighter than a ton of VHO or pC wattage

Fish_Freek · 04/04/2006, 04:49 PM

VHO!!!! All the way, skip the PCs! I went from PC to VHO in my 37g reef, wish i would've just started with VHO.

horkn · 04/04/2006, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fish_Freek
VHO!!!! All the way, skip the PCs! I went from PC to VHO in my 37g reef, wish i would've just started with VHO.

you should try t5ho and compare it to VHO. you would think you wasted money on VHO...

Fish_Freek · 04/04/2006, 07:36 PM

Yes, i know. I'm already thinking of swapping out two pair of endcaps and bulbs for t-5's just to try them.

Mr James · 04/05/2006, 07:01 AM

I just got an Ice Cap 440 (used) and plan to run a pair of 46.5" actinics on it. BUT, I may try a pair of t5's over the fuge hooked to the same ballast. T5's are new to me, so I am unsure about what ballast goes with what bulb and how many. But I would definitely get the Ice Cap brand, that way you can run either t5's or t12's.

moggyhill · 04/05/2006, 07:11 AM

I would go with the t5's first, then vho's.
I love my t5's.

horkn · 04/05/2006, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr James
I just got an Ice Cap 440 (used) and plan to run a pair of 46.5" actinics on it. BUT, I may try a pair of t5's over the fuge hooked to the same ballast. T5's are new to me, so I am unsure about what ballast goes with what bulb and how many. But I would definitely get the Ice Cap brand, that way you can run either t5's or t12's.

if you have the ballast already, you can run any t5ho bulb from any manufacturer, and any endcaps, reflectors and such. t5ho is not specific to that like some MH are.

so, pick an etailer, and order away. go with whovever has the best prices on the bulbs and supplies you want. you dont need to buy all icecap stuff.

my workhorse ballast runs my t5ho retro, and that can power vho or pc as well....

Shadowramy · 04/05/2006, 01:56 PM

T5's are not an option for me since I will have mushrooms and other softies in the tank - do not want them to melt.

Shadowramy · 04/05/2006, 01:57 PM

Actually went with VHO's - good deal at hellolights.com. Complete setup for about $100 using URI bulbs.

moggyhill · 04/05/2006, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BWilfong
T5's are not an option for me since I will have mushrooms and other softies in the tank - do not want them to melt.

I have never had anything melt using t5's.

horkn · 04/05/2006, 03:25 PM

i have. but only shrooms (only 1 kind at that), and lower light lps (euphyllia)...

but i also use the highest PAR bulb made. the ge 6500k starcoat.

I think its almost too much for a mixed reef. for sps and clam tansk i bet it would be fine.

a different choice of bulbs would cure most melting shroom/ lps issues. basically anything but the ge bulb if you want to be certain to kepp them...

moggyhill · 04/05/2006, 03:43 PM

Quote:

[i]
but i also use the highest PAR bulb made. the ge 6500k starcoat.

I[/B]

Thats strange because I have a 10,000k t5.

horkn · 04/05/2006, 07:37 PM

ok, thats good.

but the 6500k ge starcoat has more PAR than that 10k Current bulb.

04/04/2006, 11:21 AM	#1
Shadowramy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 598	VHO or PC Setting up a 65 gallon seahorse tank and would like to keep some softies such as mushrooms, GSP, leathers, etc. Can decided on what would look the best 2x96w PC or 2 URI VHO's

04/04/2006, 04:14 PM	#3
fishaholic911 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 2,822	I agree __________________ happiness is like peeing in your pants everyone can see it, but no one feels the warmth as you do. Current Tank Info: 80 gallon, vertex 150 skimmer, 2 mars aqua 165 watt leds and 2MP40WQD

04/04/2006, 04:24 PM	#4
horkn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: milwaukee wisconsin Posts: 4,125	do you have the vho or pc equipment alreday? or do you need to purchase it all? i ask, because if you are buying all neew stufff, t5ho is a much better solution. 2 x54 of t5ho will easily do the trick for the corals you want, and will last longer than either pc or vho, and cost less for electricity as well. not to mention be brighter than a ton of VHO or pC wattage __________________ people write stupid things in this space Current Tank Info: 200g DIY wood reef, 2x 250w SE 10k MH 2x80 t5ho, 75g sump, Geo Ca RX, ASD 6" recirc skimmer

04/04/2006, 04:49 PM	#5
Fish_Freek Cheese Head Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kimberly, WI Posts: 386	VHO!!!! All the way, skip the PCs! I went from PC to VHO in my 37g reef, wish i would've just started with VHO. __________________ ~~ Bob ~~ Current Tank Info: 75g reef tank, octoHB2000 HOB skimmer, 2x EG D120 Led black boxes

04/04/2006, 07:36 PM	#7
Fish_Freek Cheese Head Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kimberly, WI Posts: 386	Yes, i know. I'm already thinking of swapping out two pair of endcaps and bulbs for t-5's just to try them. __________________ ~~ Bob ~~ Current Tank Info: 75g reef tank, octoHB2000 HOB skimmer, 2x EG D120 Led black boxes

04/04/2006, 01:09 PM	#2
Mr James Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 6,192	VHO's!! IMO they are more reliable, cheaper and you can keep better corals under them if you so choose in the future.

04/05/2006, 07:01 AM	#8
Mr James Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 6,192	I just got an Ice Cap 440 (used) and plan to run a pair of 46.5" actinics on it. BUT, I may try a pair of t5's over the fuge hooked to the same ballast. T5's are new to me, so I am unsure about what ballast goes with what bulb and how many. But I would definitely get the Ice Cap brand, that way you can run either t5's or t12's.

04/05/2006, 07:11 AM	#9
moggyhill Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Port St Lucie Florida Posts: 2,249	I would go with the t5's first, then vho's. I love my t5's.

04/05/2006, 01:56 PM	#11
Shadowramy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 598	T5's are not an option for me since I will have mushrooms and other softies in the tank - do not want them to melt.

04/05/2006, 01:57 PM	#12
Shadowramy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 598	Actually went with VHO's - good deal at hellolights.com. Complete setup for about $100 using URI bulbs.

04/05/2006, 03:25 PM	#14
horkn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: milwaukee wisconsin Posts: 4,125	i have. but only shrooms (only 1 kind at that), and lower light lps (euphyllia)... but i also use the highest PAR bulb made. the ge 6500k starcoat. I think its almost too much for a mixed reef. for sps and clam tansk i bet it would be fine. a different choice of bulbs would cure most melting shroom/ lps issues. basically anything but the ge bulb if you want to be certain to kepp them... __________________ people write stupid things in this space Current Tank Info: 200g DIY wood reef, 2x 250w SE 10k MH 2x80 t5ho, 75g sump, Geo Ca RX, ASD 6" recirc skimmer

04/05/2006, 07:37 PM	#16
horkn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: milwaukee wisconsin Posts: 4,125	ok, thats good. but the 6500k ge starcoat has more PAR than that 10k Current bulb. __________________ people write stupid things in this space Current Tank Info: 200g DIY wood reef, 2x 250w SE 10k MH 2x80 t5ho, 75g sump, Geo Ca RX, ASD 6" recirc skimmer