VHO lighting questions

[michealprater]

I have noticed that vho actinic bulbs are cheaper than NO actinic bulbs. Why is this? What is the cheapest ballast I could get to fire up 2 48" vho bulbs? I have read a little about over driving NO. Would a ballast to do that save me enough to cover the difference between VHO and NO bulbs? Would a cheap NO ballast fire some of the cheaper VHO bulbs even though it would not put out the proper intensity? The reason I am asking, is because I am looking for the cheapest way to compliment the 6500K Iwasaki Mh bulbs I will be installing with some purple light. I really like a tank with a purple look. I will have the intensity I need with my MH. I just want to sell my pc setup because once I get the MH and actinic I wont need the pc. Sorry about all the questions. But believe it or not, all I have ever used has been pc, and I learning MH, but when it comes to VHO I know nothing. The only thing I have ever did with NO is put a bulb in a strip light and turn it on. Any help from you lighting gurus is appreciated.

[kevinpo]

An Advance tar ballast is the cheapest way to fire VHO's. An electrical supply store in your area should carry them. You need the 1500ma one for VHO's. You cannot fire VHO's with a NO ballast. If you are only going to use the actinics for color then you can burn them for 2-3 years at least. That's pretty cheap, $21 each for the bulbs. I have 4 tar ballasts I have been using since 1996 and they are still going strong.
IMO you will need VHO's to hide the yellow for the Iwasaki (maybe even 4 of them). I would try 2 at first. You can always add more later.

HTH,
Kevin

[electric130]

Originally posted by michealprater
I have noticed that vho actinic bulbs are cheaper than NO actinic bulbs.

where are you getting this info? last i checked, NO actinics were $13-15$ each and VHO's were $22-$25 each. if you know were to get VHO actinics for less than $15, by all means, please share!

[michealprater]

I got that at hellolights. I was wrong. plus this thread is so old i forgot about it. I have long since finished my canopy.

[electric130]

dang! you got me excited!