vho vs pc

[nillan00]

Hey guys!
I'm upgrading my lighting system for my 75 gallon reef. I would like to spend below 400 bucks and so I am trying to decide between PC and VHO. I have read so many contradicting articles about both types that i have no idea which one would be better... So please, if you have any advice or suggestions, let me know!
Thanks for your help!
Nilla

 

[therock0861]

Personally I would go with a VHO set up with Actinic Blue and Actinic White! I have seen this set up and it is very nice!

 

[michael7979]

That's what I had til I put in mh's but I love the vho's they worked great.

 

[22caddy]

For 400 you could do metal halide. Between your choices though, vho.

 

[golfish]

VHO's are a little cheaper to run because the bulbs cost less. That's about the only diff I've seen.

 

[~sc~emt~]

I use VHO and I am very happy with them.

 

[peter78]

I have PCs and they work really good. I have 2 65w, one white and one blue. I have a mostly soft coral and one cup coral. I also have a small RBTA. I have had this set up for well over 8 mo. The PC's arent as bright as I would like but I have a friend that has VHO's for his 55 gal and they come out to be the same watts per gal. I would like to hear from more people that have PCs to hear how they are doing.:yes:

 

[saltydog]

Originally posted by nillan00
Hey guys!
I'm upgrading my lighting system for my 75 gallon reef. I would like to spend below 400 bucks and so I am trying to decide between PC and VHO. I have read so many contradicting articles about both types that i have no idea which one would be better... So please, if you have any advice or suggestions, let me know!
Thanks for your help!
Nilla
I ran VHO's until recently. 4) 110 and had great success. I went to MH's and kept 2 of the 110 VHO atinics along with the MH's./
My LPS and softies all thrived under the VHO's on my 75 Gal.
-Salty

 

[nillan00]

Thanks so much for all your imput!
For those of you who have VHOs, where would you suggest getting them from? Are there any good complete fixtures or do you think i should build a hood and retrofit?
Nilla

 

[nillan00]

Hey again... what about T5s??? I totally forgot to include them in my first post, also how many of each light do you think i would need for a 75 gallon reef (only softies and lps)

 

[saltydog]

Originally posted by nillan00
Hey again... what about T5s??? I totally forgot to include them in my first post, also how many of each light do you think i would need for a 75 gallon reef (only softies and lps)
I would go with 4) 110 VHO's. 2) actinic and 2) 50/50 bulbs. Ice Cap 660 ballast.
IMO, Salty

 

[flatzboy]

Originally posted by Saltydog
I would go with 4) 110 VHO's. 2) actinic and 2) 50/50 bulbs. Ice Cap 660 ballast.
IMO, Salty
I agree also i'd get the "URI" bulbs which are vho bulbs with built in reflectors so you don't have to worry about getting a reflector built into your canopy.

 

[jlem]

I use PC's for 10K daylights and VHO's for Actinics. I like the intensity of PC daylights and the deeper light that the VHO actnics put out

 

[~sc~emt~]

My LFS has custom made stands and canopy's for your tanks from a local cabinet maker. And the canopy's height depends on your lighting system VHO, MH, ect. You will need a fan for your canopy b/c VHO's get REALLY hot

 

[nillan00]

Originally posted by jlem
I use PC's for 10K daylights and VHO's for Actinics. I like the intensity of PC daylights and the deeper light that the VHO actnics put out
Hey, how did you combine the two into one hood? Could you use a ice cap 660 to drive both by just buying different end caps?
Thanks for the adice!
Nilla

 

[jobob]

i have pc 2 55watt and 2 65w actinic on my 55gal, softy and lps and i like them. no fan they dont get that hot. ive had them on this tank for 6 mon and on my 29 (before i switched) for 9 mons and everything is doin great. i think its personal choice

 

[jlem]

Originally posted by ~SC~EMT~
. You will need a fan for your canopy b/c VHO's get REALLY hot
VHO's are a whole lot cooler than PC's
I built my own canopy. I use a 4-96Watt PC retro kit for my daylights and then A 2 VHO retrofit kit for my actinics from hellolights ( not heliolights ). I have bought about 4 retrofits kits now and really like them.

 

[fastmarc]

I use 4x96 watts pc's and I am very happy with it, but I think you should consider get MH combination (PC's or VHO) and save yourself the hassle of a upgrade later in case you decide to keep more light demanding corals.