vho setup

[old hermit]

i am getting my bulbs for my vho set up wensday but i dont know how to wire it up so the atinics come on 1 hr before the daylight and 1 hr after. my lfs said i will need 2 seperate ballasts. is this true? if not can someone tell me how to wire it up for that?

 

[david s]

i think u need 1 ballast for your daylights and 1 ballast for your atinics for it to work because u have to fire 1 at a time then both do a search on sunrise to sunset see what u get maybe more help there

 

[dirtybilge]

Yes if you only have one ballist all the tubes will go on and off together, you need to buy a seperate one to have seperate controls.

 

[zack schwartz]

How imporant is it to have that affect?

 

[bammbamm74]

Hey, old hermit, where did you get your ballast and how much? I know Ice Cap has them and they are EXPENSIVE!!!
Anyway, I don't think you can have it to that. You'd need 2 ballasts.

 

[reeflooker]

You need two ballists. Don't panic..... You can get a regular 40 watt tar ballist at Home Depot to run the actinic to give you the sun up/down effect. It will cost you about $15. Also get a timmer, about $10.
FYI, your VH0 Actinic will only run 40 watts on the tar ballist, so you buy NO actinic bulbs.

 

[wamp]

To anwer one of your questions. It is not necesary to dely your lights. It is recommended because it slowly "wakes up" your corals and fish. Some say it is stressful to turn all your lights on at one time. I have mine delayed nd would suggest it but, It is not an absolute necessity. They wont die because you arnt doing it.

 

[old hermit]

thanks for the replys ill see what i can do but for now i will just blast them with all of the lights i suppose. but ill check into that ballast at home depot. i paid 210 for a 440 icecap but from what ive seen the seem to be worth it. i dont know about getting 2 for daylight to dawn effect a little too much $ for me.