VHO vs. PC lighting

[bruha]

Hello, my LFS is trying to sell me a canopy and VHO lighting ballaste and 2 24" bulbs for $200. Is this a good price? Also, I have heard on other forums that PC lighting is better than VHO. Just wanted to get some more opinions on VHO vs. Pc lighting. Thanks for the help.

Bru

[Reefland]

Hi bruha and Welcome to Reefland!

Obviously a very debated subject, I think VHO are a better choice; not due to a difference in intensity because I think the two types are comparable in that aspect, but for coloration. The VHO bulbs provide a nicer overall tank coloration, my opinion.

As for the price, it doesn't seem bad; what are the specs of the fixture? What type of ballast and bulbs are they trying to sell you?

Regards,
Scott Z.

[PopeShawnPaul]

It's apples and oranges, I have PC's, but I would go VHO just as easily. PC's were just on sale. Seems like you might be able to get a few more watt's/$ at www.lampsnow.com. I wired a couple wires and had a nice hood.

[Poseidon]

Howdy and Welcome to REefland. I think Scott is right, I have had both PC and VhO. I like the looks of VHO better, but my corals grew fine under PC. So it is a personal preference. Either will be fine for the Corals.

[Timesailor]

Howdy and Welcome to REefland. I think Scott is right, I have had both PC and VhO. I like the looks of VHO better, but my corals grew fine under PC. So it is a personal preference. Either will be fine for the Corals.

As far as looks go with the pc's, are you talking about the straight white lamps or the combo white/actinic blue, or both?

Happy Holidays

[Poseidon]

Mostly the Actinics, VHO has much better "luminesence" then PC. The greens and reds really GLOW under VHO not so much under PC

[kevinpo]

Mostly the Actinics, VHO has much better "luminesence" then PC. The greens and reds really GLOW under VHO not so much under PC

That has been my experience too. Also on larger areas it takes more PC's to get the same amount of spread as VHO's, but on the other hand you can fit more PC's in a smaller area, but on the other hand you can save some money using less bulbs........ OK I'm out of hands

HTH,
Kevin

[Timesailor]

Ok. Thanks very much for the responses.

[electric130]

i personally prefer VHO's over PC's after using both types of lighting. the VHO's look better and gave me better growth. check out Carolina Corals

[new2salt2]

what is difference in price VHO vs PC? and how about power consumption?

[reewik]

I would have to say VHO bulbs are about 2/3 the cost of PC's. I believe this is because PC's are still a newer product and are being sold in lots of hoods. I run PC's because my hood has them w the halide. The color of the actinics do very well. I used to run VHO's on my old tank and loved them.

[new2salt2]

I would have to say VHO bulbs are about 2/3 the cost of PC's. I believe this is because PC's are still a newer product and are being sold in lots of hoods. I run PC's because my hood has them w the halide. The color of the actinics do very well. I used to run VHO's on my old tank and loved them.

How about the energy consumption difference? is there much? i alread have huge bill with the tank and stuff running.. would cutting the cost and going with VHO's ue a notiable difference of power compared to PC?

[reewik]

I really do not know about that. Hopefully someone else can answer that one. Got: Hellolights.com and ck that one out. or championlighting.com, they may know.