PDA

View Full Version : Why buy VHO? Is it better than NO on an IceCap ballast?


jma1978
06/12/2007, 03:01 PM
I recently changed my 4 VHO bulbs to 3 Normal Output Daylight (just over 4 bucks each) with one actinic. I'm overdriving them with my IceCap 660 ballast, but I've heard that all the studies prove that you don't lose lifespan as long as you keep the bulb cool. I love the color and the tank is much brighter than before. I took before and after pics with my camera using the same manual settings. The difference is amazing. I could also attribute this to the old bulbs, I guess...

So if my Normal output bulbs are just as bright as the VHO's, why should I pay the extra money for the VHO?

RichConley
06/12/2007, 03:52 PM
Its less likely to catch on fire.


The difference between NO and VHO bulbs is that theyre designed to take more current, and more heat. IE, theyre less likely to fail in spectacular fashion.

ASH
06/13/2007, 08:07 AM
From IceCap:
When over-driving NO lamps, only IceCap has UL'ed that application. Don't do it with a conventional ballast. The 32 or 40-watts lamps on an IceCap VHO ballast run around 80-watts per lamp and with good ventilation you should enjoy over a year of reef quality lighting. Color shift doesn't happened to fluorescent lamps so that's not a concern. Do use VHO waterproof endcaps that are mounted securely to your hood.

As we don't use the lamps filament conventionally, you get less blacking at the lamp ends and see fewer filament failures. If anything fails (including a filament) the ballast shuts down.

Andy

jma1978
06/13/2007, 10:30 AM
Awesome! Thanks Andy!
I have very good ventilation on these bulbs, so I was never really concerned about them catching on fire. They are cool to the touch throughout the day. Plus if they do catch on fire, then they'll just burn until they fall into the tank full of water... Problem solved!! (Just kidding).
So does that mean that I'm actually saving electricity by using the NO bulbs? If the VHO 36" bulbs are 96W and the NO bulbs are running at 80W, then I'm saving 16W (give or take a couple) per bulb, right?

cristhiam
06/13/2007, 11:57 AM
What is the K on the NO bulbs? I've been using in the 125G 4 40W 6500K (phillips bulbs) and 2 110W URI actinics with 2 IceCaps 660s, before on a 55G I used 3 40Ws and 1 110W actincs. I've been able to keep sps, softs, lps and clams with these lights. I do replace the 40Ws every 6 months.
Here is a link to some pics of my tank, I started overdriving bulbs around 2004 and not changing it anytime soon :) Good luck
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1094171

john rochon
06/13/2007, 12:02 PM
VHO lamps have internal reflectors. regular lamps do not.

jma1978
06/13/2007, 01:24 PM
I'm using the 6500K phillips bulbs and an actinic. They're inside a DIY canopy that's painted white inside. I thought about using reflectors or even just putting aluminum foil inside the canopy, but the new bulbs are brighter than the old VHOs (even though VHO has the internal reflector and NO does not). So I decided to not even bother.

I have a small montipora digitata frag (I think I accidentally fragged my big one trying to catch a fish) that was sitting on the sand on the bottom of the 24" deep tank. It was almost completely white and dead before I changed the bulbs. Now, after only 4 days with the new NO bulbs, the frag is dark brown again with full polyp extension, and still sitting on the sand in the bottom of the tank!!
I figured if the SPS is doing that well 24" deep, then I don't need any reflectors...

cristhiam
06/13/2007, 01:59 PM
Your canopy is kind of the way I designed mine, I have it painted white and 4 comuter fans blowing in. I have all kinds of corals growing at a different dephts from the bottom all the way to the top. I designed my rocks as an island since the bulbs are only 48" long and the tank is 6' so the light concentration is in the middle of the tank. Placement of the corals is important :)

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~pinatas/125/43.jpg

carlso63
06/14/2007, 08:35 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10135645#post10135645 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cristhiam
Your canopy is kind of the way I designed mine, I have it painted white and 4 comuter fans blowing in. I have all kinds of corals growing at a different dephts from the bottom all the way to the top. I designed my rocks as an island since the bulbs are only 48" long and the tank is 6' so the light concentration is in the middle of the tank. Placement of the corals is important :)
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~pinatas/125/43.jpg


First, let me say that your tank looks pretty awesome! Especially considering it is only 14 mos running (at the time of those pics, anyway)

Second, you are overdriving the NO bulbs, right? Maybe I missed it, but how many watts are you running out of those Icecap 660s
(sorry if it is a dumb Q but I'm not that familiar w/ Icecap ballasts)


Last, out of curiousity - how much flow do you run? I see what looks like a pair of Koralias (3s?), a couple of PHeads, and maybe a CL... is that right?

Again, Suuuuuwwwwweeeet looking tank!!! And great mix of corals!

I only hope my own 125 looks half as good a year from now (only 3 mos running)...

P.S. - nice to see such good results w/ 'only' a CSS125 Skimmer... I have a CSS220 and have been flamed for choosing that instead of a Euro or G3... but I am very happy w/ the CSS220 so far
:D

cristhiam
06/15/2007, 05:37 AM
Hi, thank you for the nice comments. According to IceCaps the 40W bulbs runs at about 80W with the IceCaps 660s. The flow is 2 Koralias 4, 1 MJ 1200 modded (middle) and 2 MJ 1200 blowing to the back of the tank. I just installed a 40G sump about a week ago, planning to have a fuge in there.
My filtration is been a 5 - 6 inch DSB and the CSS 125 :), it does great pulls about 1/2 a gallon a week, it works a lot better in the sump.
Most of those corals came from my 55G that I took down on the upgrade, run for over 2 years, same lighting 1 IceCap 660 3 40W and 1 110W. That gigas clam was 3" when I got it now it's about 10+, also the orage cap and the acro are huge now :)
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~pinatas/fulltank003.jpg

cristhiam
06/15/2007, 05:38 AM
I have close up pictures in this thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1094171

sunkool
06/15/2007, 08:16 AM
In this thread you said 4 40 watt NO and 2 110 actinics with 2 660's

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10134802#post10134802 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cristhiam
What is the K on the NO bulbs? I've been using in the 125G 4 40W 6500K (phillips bulbs) and 2 110W URI actinics with 2 IceCaps 660s, before on a 55G I used 3 40Ws and 1 110W actincs. I've been able to keep sps, softs, lps and clams with these lights. I do replace the 40Ws every 6 months.


in your other thread you said 3 40 watt NO and 3 110 actinics with 2 660's

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9689207#post9689207 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cristhiam
Thank you,

About the system:
Lights: 3 40W T12 bulbs Phillips 6500K from HD
3 110W URI superactinics
The 40Ws lights are changed every 6 months and the actinics every year 1/2
2 IceCaps 660 ballasts



Also do you have the actinics on one 660 and the NO's on the other? Are your bulbs all in the middle or did you stager them?
Thanks

flar92
06/15/2007, 08:35 AM
Very nice..Just goes to show that one doesn't need Halides to have a nice reef.

cristhiam
06/15/2007, 08:44 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10147285#post10147285 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sunkool
In this thread you said 4 40 watt NO and 2 110 actinics with 2 660's



in your other thread you said 3 40 watt NO and 3 110 actinics with 2 660's



Also do you have the actinics on one 660 and the NO's on the other? Are your bulbs all in the middle or did you stager them?
Thanks

Yes I wen't back to 4 40W, just don't like too blue

cristhiam
06/15/2007, 08:52 AM
Also do you have the actinics on one 660 and the NO's on the other? Are your bulbs all in the middle or did you stager them?

I have 4 40W in one 660 and 2 110W actinics on the other, I have them with timers. The bubls are not stager, I thought about it but it will be a mess trying to fix it now :)