VHO lighting???

[$eaba$$]

Hey guys,

I have just been thinking about adding one small bulb to my canopy. I was thinking of maybe just adding a 22" 24 watt t5ho bulb. Now though, I have been searching more about these types of lights, currently I have PC, and what is vho really? I saw that if I got a 24" bulb for my 24" canopy, it would produce 70w i believe, is this right? Are vho bulbs good for reefs?

Thanks!

[cody6766]

vho bulbs are an older high output florescent light. It stands for very high output actually. They're pretty limited in color output when compared to T5s but crank out some good light. They give the tank a slightly pink shade unless you have a lot of actinic supplementation. I Have 2x 24" 50/50 bulbs and 2x 18" Actinic bulbs over my 20L dwarf lionfish tank and they look good.

I'd probably get a T5 setup unless you come across one hell of a deal on the VHOs. I did and that's why I'm not running T5s over my 20L.

[runningstix]

Vho Actinic supplementation is unmatched. Sole vho lighting is rather purplish. I had 4x95w vho over a bowfront. I was happy with them.

Now I have 2x250 halides with 2x95 actinic vho

[mat167]

Personally I'd go with with the t5. On paper the VHO looks more impressive in terms of wattage, but I find in real life the t5 is significantly brighter. Plus they consume less electricity (which for one small bulb is pretty insignificant, but it's a good point to consider on large setups).

[cindyreef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13966933#post13966933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by runningstix
Vho Actinic supplementation is unmatched. Sole vho lighting is rather purplish. I had 4x95w vho over a bowfront. I was happy with them.

Now I have 2x250 halides with 2x95 actinic vho

I agree with this. I currently am switching to metal halide but I am keeping the VHO Actinics. The color is unmatched. T5 may be brighter but with that I find it can have a "washed out " appearance if your not careful.

Everything grows well under my VHO--sps,lps etc..
The reason Im switching my daylights to MH, is the cost of the bulbs every 6 months. Not to mention the extra room in I will have for access in my canopy.

[ethank77]

love the pop of vho actinic and they run much cooler than mh, I curently am building a 125 reef tank and plans are to put 2-5' day light bulbs and 3-5' actinic for a total of 700 wats of vho a friend of mine has this set up and has a beautiful reef.