VHO Bulb Arrangement

reverendmaynard · 02/06/2006, 10:31 PM

Hi folks,

I bought a used tank and with it came the ballasts, end caps, and bulbs for a 4x6' VHO setup. The bulbs supplied were 1 6500k trichromatic, 1 blue actinic 03, and 2 50/50 6000k/actinic.

Does anyone have any thoughts as to the placement of these bulbs in the hood, front to back?

TIA

Entropy · 02/06/2006, 11:00 PM

I would go with the actinic 03 up front, then 50/50, then 6500k, then 50/50 to start, but since you really have nothing to lose, try them all the different ways and see what looks best. Putting the actinic and the 6500k together will probably come close to matching the 50/50, so if you want it nice and even that should work. Of course don't be afraid to dump a bulb if you don't like the color it puts out.

reverendmaynard · 02/07/2006, 07:45 AM

Thanks.

The only thing I have to lose is that it's a PITA to change the bulbs. I have the waterproof endcaps that screw on. It tends to be a little difficult to keep the threads lined up when starting them, especially when the hood's full of bulbs.

Also, I didn't mention, but I have them wired so that one ballast fires the middle 2 bulbs and the other fires the outside bulbs. Since I'm currently running 6x2' NO (20w) bulbs, I don't want to run all 4 VHOs right off the bat.

The Blue in front is for max flourescent effect for viewing, right?

I might go with...
Back
50/50
6500k
Blue
50/50
Front

That way, with either ballast running I'll get a pretty good mix of actinic and white.

Thoughts?

Entropy · 02/07/2006, 03:50 PM

Yeah that was my thinking. Actinic up front to get the front viewing the most actinic. You can swap the wiring to make and two pairs you want light up. You are not stuck with the setup you have currently.

reverendmaynard · 02/07/2006, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Entropy
Yeah that was my thinking. Actinic up front to get the front viewing the most actinic. You can swap the wiring to make and two pairs you want light up. You are not stuck with the setup you have currently.

Yeah, but just like swapping the bulbs around, it's not quite as easy as it sounds. They are Ice cap 660s, with 6' wiring harnesses. Those wires go straight to the end caps. I was trying to avoid cutting those wires if possible to avoid the possibility of corrosion, shorting, etc.

I'll see how it goes. They're not SO bright, like going to 250w mhs would be, so the acclimation period shouldn't be too long.

Thanks for your help.

02/06/2006, 10:31 PM	#1
reverendmaynard Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: RI Posts: 1,490	VHO Bulb Arrangement Hi folks, I bought a used tank and with it came the ballasts, end caps, and bulbs for a 4x6' VHO setup. The bulbs supplied were 1 6500k trichromatic, 1 blue actinic 03, and 2 50/50 6000k/actinic. Does anyone have any thoughts as to the placement of these bulbs in the hood, front to back? TIA

02/06/2006, 11:00 PM	#2
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	I would go with the actinic 03 up front, then 50/50, then 6500k, then 50/50 to start, but since you really have nothing to lose, try them all the different ways and see what looks best. Putting the actinic and the 6500k together will probably come close to matching the 50/50, so if you want it nice and even that should work. Of course don't be afraid to dump a bulb if you don't like the color it puts out. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

02/07/2006, 03:50 PM	#4
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	Yeah that was my thinking. Actinic up front to get the front viewing the most actinic. You can swap the wiring to make and two pairs you want light up. You are not stuck with the setup you have currently. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

02/07/2006, 07:45 AM	#3
reverendmaynard Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: RI Posts: 1,490	Thanks. The only thing I have to lose is that it's a PITA to change the bulbs. I have the waterproof endcaps that screw on. It tends to be a little difficult to keep the threads lined up when starting them, especially when the hood's full of bulbs. Also, I didn't mention, but I have them wired so that one ballast fires the middle 2 bulbs and the other fires the outside bulbs. Since I'm currently running 6x2' NO (20w) bulbs, I don't want to run all 4 VHOs right off the bat. The Blue in front is for max flourescent effect for viewing, right? I might go with... Back 50/50 6500k Blue 50/50 Front That way, with either ballast running I'll get a pretty good mix of actinic and white. Thoughts?