PC vs VHO

[brody98]

Hi, I'm thinking of changing my 65 watt PC actinic lights to either 96 watt pc's or 110 watt VHO. Question: I have never seen a tank with VHO running so I'm not sure which looks better, also which would be better for the tank? I have a 175W MH / 65w pc hood 4ft long over a 75g mostly soft with a few hard corals, modifying the hood / wiring isn't a problem, what would you guys suggest? I have attached a pic so you get an idea what it looks like, the actinics get almost completely washed out in the 175's. thanks Aaron

[Chuck S]

HMM You want a personal opinion which is better. Well I run Halides, Power Compacts, and VHO. I like Halides best but given the choice between PC or VHO. VHO wins hands down on color rendition and overall satisfaction. I think you will find this to be a true statement from the overall majority of reefers out there that have run both. There are many many threads on this issue. Here is a picture of my 55 gallon lit by VHO.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/omegatron/b/DSCN0238.JPG

[brody98]

That looks great Omega, thats what I'm after. what are you using for bulb temps?

[Chuck S]

I use the following scheme

50/50 / actinic / 50/50 / actinic

All URI bulbs

[brody98]

thanks for the info.

[mhossom]

Omegatron,

what is the shortest length that VHO bulbs come in.

[Chuck S]

18 inches is the shortest.

http://www.championlighting.com/e/env/0001nGSCDVJrGS0XSo9H068/Products/Lighting/lighting.html?link=/Products/Lighting/uri.html

[cheletnjared]

Brody - You said at the begining that you could modify the hood? I also run a VHO setup and am looking to upgrade shortly. From what I have researched, a VHO/ Metal Halide combination is the best. That is VHO for actinic and MH for the rest. I would recommend that you keep that 175 or even upgrade it in conjunction with some VHO's.

I have a 55 gallon with 3 VHO's and will soon add 2 250w MH's and switch all VHO's to actinic.
- Jared.

[Chuck S]

You can easily pop in a couple 48 inch VHO actinics to join those 175 halides. Jared is right on that one.

[brody98]

Ya thats what I was talking about doing, getting rid of the pc's and replacing them with 110w vho (keeping the halides). Do vho bulbs put out a lot of heat? My hood has one fan in it and has a place for a second, should I put another in for the heat?

[Chuck S]

They are a bit hotter than PC's I would put in the extra fan to be safe while your redoing it.

[cheletnjared]

I can touch my VHO's with my hand, and often do to reposition them, while they are on. They are no way near as hot as normal flouresence lights, but I would still add another fan.

[Chuck S]

I can touch any bulb except metal halide Jared. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

The point is if you feel under the lights in a VHO tanks it can get rather warm. There is more heat that a PC. My 55 which is lit by 4 VHO can get a bit warm. Now it depends how high your canopy is also. Mine is only 6 inches high so the bulbs are only 3-4 inches above the water if that. Very little are before the water so it heats up. Now the same setup with only PC gets nowhere near as hot.