How many VHO tubes do I need for 55 gallon
- Thread starter dz6t
- Start date
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dz6t
Acro Garden, BRS Sponsor
It is a softies tank, only has one small frags of SPS and 1 small LPS. No plan to add more hard coral. How many watts will two VHO tube (I assume they are 48 inch long) give? I have a twin tube normal output strip light I have no use of it. Can I convert it to VHO. Do I need new end caps or I just need a new ballast?
Thanks
Thanks
BigCrowd42
Non-member
Go to www.championlighting.they sell icecap vho setups and they also have a good amount of info about VHO. I bought a icecap setup for my 125 from them and was very happy with the price and the shipping for the ballast and 6 foot bulbs was like $30.00 I thought that was reasonable for a 6 foot long package that was like 4 months ago
Moe_K
Stabbed by Foulke
Each 48" VHO is 110 watts. Two of them will provide 220 watts.dz6t said:
I threw an Icecap ballast into a normal strip light and converted it to VHO.
That may not be the safest thing in the world - I dunno. But it can be done. Better wait for somebody who knows more about electronics than I do.
dima96
high light and high flow
my 72 bow is lit was just vho, i'm running 4 tubes on a icecap 660. it allows me to keep just about any light loving critters except acros and clams.i believe you would be able to fit 4 four bulbs over your 55. i would not try and rewire your no strip light, electricty and saltwater are not a good mix. i would use the waterpoof endcaps available from champion lighting or other sources.
BigCrowd42
Non-member
4 lights over a 72 ? I bet you could keep more than you think.Sometimes I think people make to much of MH. I'm not knocking MH it works for sure,but I have read good things about VHO
dima96
high light and high flow
i'm sure i could keep squamy's, derasa and some sps under this lighting, but that's why i have a mh lit 125 sps tank. but my point was with an icecap 440 or 660 you can run 16 total feet of bulbs and why not have the light to keep things like yellow fiji leathers, m caps, digi and other light loving coral i just don't think acros, maximas and croceas will thrive under vho lighting, in most tanks.
Clam Man
x reefer
I herd people were having problems with the 660 ballast running t5s to much power output for the t5s I would like to get t5s for my fowler but everytime i say something about them someone says stay away I saw wrassefans t5s and they look great what is the longest someone has had them running for?
NateHanson
Non-member
Why not go MH? (sorry to throw a wrench in here)
I used to have 190 watts of VHO and 175 watts of MH over my 30g, and the VHO was really pathetic next to the MH bulb. I suppose heat could be an issue, but if you put together a pendant with 2 150w DE bulbs, I doubt you'd have a heat problem. That's how I'd start. Rather than get VHO now, and MH later (like me).
Nate
I used to have 190 watts of VHO and 175 watts of MH over my 30g, and the VHO was really pathetic next to the MH bulb. I suppose heat could be an issue, but if you put together a pendant with 2 150w DE bulbs, I doubt you'd have a heat problem. That's how I'd start. Rather than get VHO now, and MH later (like me).
Nate
NateHanson
Non-member
Yeah, I thought my tank was bright with VHO, but moving to MH really added a lot of growth to the SPS. On my next tank (currently setting up) I'm not doing any VHO, and using MH 10K with 20K MH supplementation (3x175w over a 65g).
Nate
Nate
NateHanson
Non-member
Think now, or think later, IMO. You really get a lot more bang for your watt with MH.
And used equipment is for sale constantly on here.
And used equipment is for sale constantly on here.
zemuron114
Non-member
i orderde an orbit 260 watt with moonlights. I havn't put it up yet, but i've seen tanks(55's) with these and look outstanding. I believe it is 4 bulbs.
