PC -VS- VHO...Which to choose??

Horace · 03-18-2005, 10:53 AM

I was just curious if I could get some opinions on what type of bulbs you would choose if given the choice? Power Compacts or VHO's. I plan on haveing 2x175W or 2x250W 10k halides with 2x96w Actinics. What type of actinic bulbs I have not decided yet and was hoping you all could help me make that decision :P

**Poseidon** · 03-18-2005, 12:15 PM

VHO's!!!!

The blue from PC actininc is just not the same!!!

Shells · 03-18-2005, 04:01 PM

Hi Horace!

You could try what i'm in the process doing. (I've got currnetly 1 400watt
m.h., 20k radium. Plan on getting 2, 250 watt iwasaki) and for my
supplement, (this is the part i was talking about trying) (2) T-5s, blue plus.
I will be using IceCap ballast on all of these.

jiggly75 · 03-18-2005, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horace

I was just curious if I could get some opinions on what type of bulbs you would choose if given the choice? Power Compacts or VHO's. I plan on haveing 2x175W or 2x250W 10k halides with 2x96w Actinics. What type of actinic bulbs I have not decided yet and was hoping you all could help me make that decision :P

I use 10k halides and vho super actinic. I tried pc and it didn't come close to looking as good!

**charlie** · 03-18-2005, 08:46 PM

I think VHO. You will never regret the way your tank looks when your corals really start to "shine" when just the VHO's are on.

**kevinpo** · 03-19-2005, 02:11 AM

I put both on a 75 gal full of corals and turned one on then the other with the halides off. The VHO's made the corals look much better and the spread was better. On a small tank or one with a small surface area PC's or T-5's work best because they are easier to fit a small area.
VHO's also run much cooler.

HTH,
Kevin

***Reefland*** · 03-19-2005, 09:12 AM

Did anyone recommend VHO's?

Steven Pro · 04-01-2005, 11:31 AM

Beyond the appearance concerns, VHO's also get my vote because PC's seem much more fragile and they are not standardized. As for VHO's in particular, I love URI lamps, even better on an IceCap ballast.

03-18-2005, 10:53 AM	#1
Horace Tenant Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 64	PC -VS- VHO...Which to choose?? I was just curious if I could get some opinions on what type of bulbs you would choose if given the choice? Power Compacts or VHO's. I plan on haveing 2x175W or 2x250W 10k halides with 2x96w Actinics. What type of actinic bulbs I have not decided yet and was hoping you all could help me make that decision :P Last edited by Horace; 03-18-2005 at 11:16 AM.

03-18-2005, 12:15 PM	#2
Poseidon Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 6,540	VHO's!!!! The blue from PC actininc is just not the same!!! __________________ Need a Photographer? Just say NO to CRABS Mike

03-18-2005, 04:01 PM	#3
Shells Just Moved In Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Biloxi, MS Posts: 27	Hi Horace! You could try what i'm in the process doing. (I've got currnetly 1 400watt m.h., 20k radium. Plan on getting 2, 250 watt iwasaki) and for my supplement, (this is the part i was talking about trying) (2) T-5s, blue plus. I will be using IceCap ballast on all of these. __________________ Shellie

03-18-2005, 08:46 PM	#5
charlie Keeper of Willis Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 6,345	I think VHO. You will never regret the way your tank looks when your corals really start to "shine" when just the VHO's are on. __________________ 400 Gallon Reef Log Rome wasn't built in a day---neither is a reef

03-19-2005, 02:11 AM	#6
kevinpo Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Spokane Valley WA Posts: 2,462	I put both on a 75 gal full of corals and turned one on then the other with the halides off. The VHO's made the corals look much better and the spread was better. On a small tank or one with a small surface area PC's or T-5's work best because they are easier to fit a small area. VHO's also run much cooler. HTH, Kevin __________________ SPSguy On - On

03-19-2005, 09:12 AM	#7
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,166	Did anyone recommend VHO's? __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

04-01-2005, 11:31 AM	#8
Steven Pro Mayor Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 672	Beyond the appearance concerns, VHO's also get my vote because PC's seem much more fragile and they are not standardized. As for VHO's in particular, I love URI lamps, even better on an IceCap ballast.

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