VHO Rumor

[ohioreef]

My LFS told me yesterday that the VHO flourescents are on the way out and that I should purchase Power Compacts instead. Has anyone else heard this? I was just thinking of getting a retro VHO kit to fit into my canopy.

 

[007]

He's probably tring to get rid of his PC stock becuase IMO, PC are on the way out. PC's are terrible lights IMO. I don't think that VHO are going anywhere.

 

[ohioreef]

I would have thought that to, but they don't sell any PC, I haven't even seen any VHO setups in the store.

 

[bang guy]

I believe both light systems have their place and I don't see either going away until LEDs are perfected & cheap.

 

[ohioreef]

Good, cuz I think a VHO would be easier and less expensive for me to install as compared to a PC system.

 

[thomas712]

Simply put, the gross margin for the LFS is better on the Power compacts.

 

[daniel411]

Originally posted by phipps
Good, cuz I think a VHO would be easier and less expensive for me to install as compared to a PC system.
They deffinately will be when it comes to replacing the bulbs! I like pc's in some cases. But its really easy to break the bulb by the socket on it. Or atleast I have a tendency to do it

 

[jlem]

I had PC's and then went VHO's. After having to change the VHO bulbs after 9 months I went with PC's for my 10K bulbs and kept my VHO's for actinics. The PC bulbs are supposed to last longer. According to the online dealer who I bought both VHO and PC's from the PC's should last about twice as long. I also really like the how the PC's 10K's look compared to the VHO

 

[saltwaterdave]

Originally posted by jlem
I had PC's and then went VHO's. After having to change the VHO bulbs after 9 months I went with PC's for my 10K bulbs and kept my VHO's for actinics. The PC bulbs are supposed to last longer. According to the online dealer who I bought both VHO and PC's from the PC's should last about twice as long. I also really like the how the PC's 10K's look compared to the VHO

I have found just the excat opposite pc bulbs only last about 6 months and I can get 12 to 18 months out of my VHO bulbs.

 

[jlem]

Originally posted by saltwaterdave
I have found just the excat opposite pc bulbs only last about 6 months and I can get 12 to 18 months out of my VHO bulbs.
That is really weird. We just destroyed this thread.

I ran my old PC's for about 20 months before I switched over to VHO. My corals where all fine but I am sure that they just adjusted as the light deteriorated.

 

[technik]

I have noticed that my PC bulbs change spectrum after 6-8 months. The way I can tell is my hammers and frogspawn swell since they are not getting enough light. Instead of VHO's I would go with T5s if I had not gone MH. 4 X54w T5's will out shine 4X110W VHO's.

 

[j.unit]

To be honest, I have never seen a VHO setup in my life. All I see is PowerCompacts and Metal Halides. Where can you buy these VHO setups? I never see them in stores... what's up?
Justin

 

[reefnut]

I have ran both and currently run both and I personally would take VHOs over PC anyday. I have a 55g that has 4- 65w PC and it seems to be doing ok but I just like the look of VHOs better... my 2c

 

[ohioreef]

I appreciate all of the responses. From the looks of it, I'd be pretty safe for a while yet if I go with VHO's.
Thanks again!! I love this board!!

 

[bang guy]

If you go with the IceCap 660 ballast you can run either type of bulb. You can even use VHO for the Actinic and PC for the daylight off just one ballast. It will also extend the life of your VHO bulbs and use less power. It doesn't take long before it pays for itself just in bulbs not replaced.

 

[tyr-sog]

Not to hijack the thread but do the Actinics need to stay on all day or just the 10k?

 

[jhueb12]

Actinics could be on longer to add a night and day effect to the tank. My PC's have needed replacement every 6 months roughly. They seem to lose spectrum and help grow unwanted algae so I would have to recommend VHO for the fact that they give more light per bulb and shouldn't last any less time than PC's.

 

[technik]

10Ks are needed for corals. The actinic is just to ofset the white/yellow color and make corals floures.

 

[jlem]

10K's have quite abit of the Actinic spectrum in them already so you would not need as much actinic supplimentation. Actinics do make the tank look nicer than straight 10K's

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by Technik
10Ks are needed for corals. The actinic is just to ofset the white/yellow color and make corals floures.
I've run very successful LPS tank with nothing but Actinics. If you consider the deeper water LPS in the wild they mostly just receive the far end blue light as the water filters out everything else.