saltywhit67
Member
I have seen that on swf.com there is a vho ballast 48" long for like 179. What is a ballast? What type of bulbs do you put in these? Where to get both of these?
Vho
- Thread starter saltywhit67
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kreach
Active Member
Originally posted by saltywhit67
I have seen that on swf.com there is a vho ballast 48" long for like 179. What is a ballast? What type of bulbs do you put in these? Where to get both of these?
The ballast is simply the equipment that makes the bulbs light up/work. In a VHO ballast, you would use VHO bulbs (Very High Output)
There are lots of places to get both ballasts and bulbs. Once you figure out what type of lights you want, check with your LFS or do a search online. Hope this helps!
bang guy
Moderator
The $179 ballast sold here is the IceCap 660. It's not really a "VHO" ballast. It can be used to operate VHO, NO, HO, T5, and even PC lamps. It will also light 2, 3, or 4 of these bulbs up to about 440 watts (but can be pushed a bit too). This equates to four 4' VHO bulbs, or a pair of 96 watt PC combined with a pair of 4' VHOs.
All flouescent lamps need a ballast to ramp up to the voltage required to light the bulb.
All flouescent lamps need a ballast to ramp up to the voltage required to light the bulb.
saltywhit67
Member
wow am i confused
my lfs jacks their prices up so high i dont want to ask them about anything except fish and corals. I dont think i have ever seen any of these vho bulbs but i do understand what a ballast is now. I think i am just going to go with the 48in 4x65w pc lighting because it is easier. I can just buy the whole thing with lights for 208$. good idea? this is all for a 75 gal.
my lfs jacks their prices up so high i dont want to ask them about anything except fish and corals. I dont think i have ever seen any of these vho bulbs but i do understand what a ballast is now. I think i am just going to go with the 48in 4x65w pc lighting because it is easier. I can just buy the whole thing with lights for 208$. good idea? this is all for a 75 gal.
murray bmf
Member
For some stange reason, anything that's meant for "Aquarium" useage seems to cost more [/B]
I heard that
[/B]I heard that
cordell
Member
For my 75g I plan to get two Workhorse7 ballasts off ----, $40/each, and then four 4' 110w VHO bulbs (2 50/50, 2 super actinic) off of prem aquatics.... or maybe 'rine depot. Get the endcaps, one pair for each bulb, make sure they are waterproof. German endcaps are the most used for waterproof I think? Then ya might need some kinda reflector to shoot stray light down into the tank, but I think most VHO bulbs come with an inside reflector so you don't need this???? Some people just use good white paint to achieve this.
Hope this helps.. I'm still learning about it all myself. And most of that stuff will be alot more at your LFS, like everything else usually. I hate to not give them my business, but I'm not rich and I can't spend 50% more there just to keep them in business. Jack yer prices down to normal and I'll buy from ya!
anywho.. l8r
Hope this helps.. I'm still learning about it all myself. And most of that stuff will be alot more at your LFS, like everything else usually. I hate to not give them my business, but I'm not rich and I can't spend 50% more there just to keep them in business. Jack yer prices down to normal and I'll buy from ya!
anywho.. l8r