PC lighting VS. VHO lighting & Tanks Size

hihikeke

hihikeke

Member
Hi,
I am thinking about go for a bigger tank, from 30 gallon to 55 or 75 gallon, the tank has to be 48" in lenght, which one would you reccomend? But I am more like to get the 75.
After I get the new tank then I will need to a better lighting setup, should I go for power compact or VHO? I can get the Formosa 48" PC system for $100.00, someone I know is getting rid of it, should I take that? In the future, if I want to have clams, PC lighting is not going to be enough, right?
 
stanlalee

stanlalee

Active Member
pc, vho and T5 HO are all high powered flourescents. there isn't a monumental jump upgrading from one to next. each is a little better than the next and T5's are more compact as well allowing you to fit more in the same amount of space. If you cant keep clams with say 260watts of pc lighting over a 75 gallon I wouldn't attempt to do the same thing with VHO of the same wattage. The only reason pc lights exist and are popular is because they are a cheaper alternative to VHO although not quite as effective (more so in practice then on paper) and VHO's color spectrum ratings are suppose to be more accurate and better looking.
 
hihikeke

hihikeke

Member
Hey Thomas712, the lighting that I am talking about is that FORMOSA-DX DELUXE DOUBLE 48"260W, it has (2) 65 watt (2) 65 watt with 10,000k.
It means 260 WATT is already good enough for most softies, how about hard carol?
 
agent707

agent707

Member
Oh, and if you don't want it, let me know. I'll buy it. I have a 75 and would love a setup like that for $100. I have paypal. :p
 
hihikeke

hihikeke

Member
Just found out that is not including the bulds, and I have checked 4 bulds will be around another 100.00, end up will be like 230.00 after shipping which is more than the retail price.
 
T

thomas712

Guest
I kinda figured that was going to happen, That price right there puts you into the 4 bulb VHO setup with much more watts than that PC thing your looking at. What were you looking at? $230.00, look at VHO in this range. For $6 bucks more + S/H you can have a 360 watt system, or for $26 bucks more + s/h you can have 440 watts. Up to you but I know what I would do.
For instance:
36" 4 Lamp VHO Retrofit Kit (w/ ARO Model 4LX ballast)
Bulb1: URI Super Actinic VHO #10-30-03-V (+$19.00)
Bulb2: URI Actinic White 50/50 VHO #12-30-ATW-V (+$16.50)
Bulb3: URI Super Actinic VHO #10-30-03-V (+$19.00)
Bulb4: URI Actinic White 50/50 VHO #12-30-ATW-V (+$16.50)
Dual_Ballast_Upgrade: None 236.00
Additional VHO ballast for 135.00
If I recall right this is 360 watts of VHO lighting.
Here is one that have 46.5 inch bulbs that will usually fit into standard 48 inch hoods. Again extra ballast cost same as above if you want it. This is also the first lighting system that I used over a 55 gallon tank with success with Bubble tip anemones.

[hr]
46.5" 4 Lamp VHO Retrofit Kit (w/ ARO Model 4L ballast)
Bulb1: URI Super Actinic VHO(+$20.00)
Bulb2: URI Actinic White 50/50 VHO(+$23.50)
Bulb3: URI Super Actinic VHO(+$20.00)
Bulb4: URI Actinic White 50/50 VHO(+$23.50)
Dual_Ballast_Upgrade: None 256.00
Many LFS don't stock 46.5 inch bulbs though so keep that in mind. This one is a 440 Watt VHO system and the kind I use today, only I do have the dual ballast and can turn one set of lights on at a time if I choose. I also happen to have a dual MH lighting system as well.
Those are only two options. you can look anywhere you wish for lighting systems, you can look at the fancy PC with moonlights if you like, but before you make your final decision check back here for input. I can also look up VHO/MH lighting if you wish, but it would be much more expensive.
These are only suggestions. They do not cover shipping and handling. The above quotes are from a favorite lighting store that I use. Notice the difference between the two systems is only $20.00
Thomas
 
92protruck

92protruck

Member
I have the same setup as Thomas but it was a little cheaper. I got the 46.5 VHO setup with 2 ballasts, endcaps and bulbs for $200.00. I didn't need the reflector or wiring harness since I was installing them in a custom hood with limited room. Buying the parts separately was cheaper than the retro-kit. I am very happy the 440 watts VHO and love the URI's. I bought a $14 set of moonlights (6 bulbs) from another source to complete my lighting.
 
T

thomas712

Guest
92Pro.
Mine wasn't exactly what I showed above either. My hood is entirely custom, all 940 watts of it. No reflectors on the VHO but there are on the MH. The 46.5 VHO's are staggered into the hood. Heck I'll see if I can take a pic.

 
T

thomas712

Guest
Well the camera didn't exactly do justice to this setup, I'll try some other time when the lights are all off and the flash can go off.
 
92protruck

92protruck

Member
I apologize to Thomas, the members and to the readers. I do not have the same set up as Thomas. I made a mistake. Please disregard the first sentence of my post and try not to let it pollute the point I was trying to make...that being...I like the dual ARO ballasts, 4 bulb 46.5 VHO URI setup for around $200.00 on a 48" or similar tank.
 
hihikeke

hihikeke

Member
Hey Thomas! Thanks for your info.
That sounds better than just getting the PC fixture, I have a question here, if I get the VHO bulbs then I will need to custom make a hood for them right?
46.5" 4 Lamp VHO Retrofit Kit (w/ ARO Model 4L ballast)
Bulb1: URI Super Actinic VHO(+$20.00)
Bulb2: URI Actinic White 50/50 VHO(+$23.50)
Bulb3: URI Super Actinic VHO(+$20.00)
Bulb4: URI Actinic White 50/50 VHO(+$23.50)
Dual_Ballast_Upgrade: None 256.00
So this VHO setup will cost me $343.00, I will have 440 watt?
 
T

thomas712

Guest
Originally Posted by hihikeke
Hey Thomas! Thanks for your info.
That sounds better than just getting the PC fixture, I have a question here, if I get the VHO bulbs then I will need to custom make a hood for them right?
So this VHO setup will cost me $343.00, I will have 440 watt?
No. Cost without shipping is $256.00 with the bulbs. (like it better now?) Yes it will be 440 watts. each bulb is 110 vho
Now there is a 48 inch bulb set as well, that is 440 watts. But with endcaps it usually comes out to 49.5 inches which doesn't fit most standard hoods. If you have the hood then measure the inside dimentions. I use the 46.5 inch bulbs. Up to you if you wish to make a hood and get the 48 inch bulbs.
Now for an extra what is it? $135 dollars you can have the dual ballast, so you can turn one set of lights on at a time.
Thomas
 
92protruck

92protruck

Member
ARO 220 Ballast w/ endcaps, mounts, power cord, wire nuts and 60" wire $64.95. For dual ballasts setup that is $130.00. Add 4 46.5 URI bulbs for $23.95 each and you have a dual ballast setup for $226.00. Way cheaper than a dual 4L ballast set up. Just a suggestion.
 
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