VHO vs MH (pics)

[downhillbiker]

Well here are a couple pics showing both color change and growth change of these corals from VHO to Metal Halide. I just wanted to post this to keep people from wasting their money on VHO, as my friend just did yesterday, and called me to brag about it. Luckily he only bought a 2 light retrofit, so can use them for actinics, they are GREAT for that.

Green Slimer

VHO: 5 months ago
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2007%20Reef/IMG_2605.jpg

MH: now
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2008%20Reef/frags102208001.jpg

Random Acro

VHO: 3 months ago
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2007%20Reef/IMG_2458.jpg

MH: now
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2008%20Reef/frags102208004.jpg

VHO: 2 months ago
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2008%20Reef/CORALS008.jpg

MH: now
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2008%20Reef/frags102208005.jpg

[m2434]

When did you switch ?

[s ruppa]

are they both same spectrum?

are they both the same wattage?

are they both run the same amount of hours per day?

i like both type of lights and think they both have a place in the hobby

[crvz]

A couple of those corals surely appreciate the new lighting. Good luck with it!

[BigJay]

Agreed on VHO super actinics. I love the look of them with reeflux 12K halides.

[downhillbiker]

i guess there are too many differences to be precise on the cause. when i first got the corals they were from another person's tank. he has VHO and also different pameters.

his tank
pH 7.9-8.2
ca 380-400
alk 8-9
lighting? he has a 4 bulb 48" fixture dont know watts? photoperiod 8hrs

mine
pH 8.3-8.7
ca 440-480
alk 12-14
mg 1400
photoperiod 8hrs 2x250w DE

so yes too many params. i just guess i contributed it to lighting more than anything else. but hasn't everyone else noticed that if you buy a coral out of a tank with VHO that it almost always changes colors under MH or t5.

[Ehaze]

Do you does kalk? how do you keep your ph so high?

[Ehaze]

anyway, those pics are nuts. what MH bulbs/ballast? i must know!

thanks!

[MileHighFish]

i think a combo of the mh and vho's are the way to go..

[downhillbiker]

those pics are taken under MH, no supplementation. 2x250w DE Phoenix 14k in Odyssea Fixture with Galaxy ballast.

yes i dose kalk, in an auto top off. pH doesn't seem to be able to drop any lower.