aquariumclown
New member
Damn, i love them vhos....I might want to move out my 4xT5s for 2 vhos.
Pooky's 300
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
pookstreet
Registered Stick Killer
Leo, seeing really is believing. I had intended to do 4 x T5's but after seeing numerous tanks running VHO super actinics for supplement, there's simply no other option. I've decided to keep the other 2 T5's for the added light output.
pookstreet
Registered Stick Killer
Good to hear from you, Sara. You've been MIA
pookstreet
Registered Stick Killer
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15569523#post15569523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpoletti
SaraB
Coral Killer
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15573998#post15573998 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pookstreet
Good to hear from you, Sara. You've been MIA
I know, I've been busy with my day job and then trying to get my Koi pond back in order. ... and then throw in some weekend wakeboarding
pookstreet
Registered Stick Killer
Ahh.......life outside of our reefs. Good to hear.
aquariumclown
New member
I wonder what the par is for the vhos. I saw the par tests Sanjay did on the T5's they were really good (2-300's). I only run my MH 4 hours, so I'd like to get something out of my supplementals.
pookstreet
Registered Stick Killer
I am not sure what the par levels are like for the VHO super actinics, but the major benefit of using them is for color enhancement, not light output. Although the wavelength supplied by the actinics are probably in some way also important for coral health. If you need light output, then the super actinics won't do much for you. However, if you have enough room, you can always do 2 VHO's and 2 T5's to supplement your halides. The T5's can be used to add more par while the VHO can fulfill the color enhancement role.
For 2 years, I've only used 3 x 250W halides over a tank with a 6' x 3' footprint. The photoperiod is 5 hours in the summer and 6 hours in the winter. Perhaps that's one of the major reasons I've never got great colors from my SPS. It's simply not enough light output or spread. Growth has been decent. After IE-CFM, I will also add the 4th 250. The configuration is basically the 4 halides in a row across the middle, flanked by 2 x 5' T5 Aquablue+, then 2 x 6' VHO super actinics on the outside.
For 2 years, I've only used 3 x 250W halides over a tank with a 6' x 3' footprint. The photoperiod is 5 hours in the summer and 6 hours in the winter. Perhaps that's one of the major reasons I've never got great colors from my SPS. It's simply not enough light output or spread. Growth has been decent. After IE-CFM, I will also add the 4th 250. The configuration is basically the 4 halides in a row across the middle, flanked by 2 x 5' T5 Aquablue+, then 2 x 6' VHO super actinics on the outside.
aquariumclown
New member
2 vhos and 2 t5s is gonna be tough to do. My tank is only 2 feet wide. Though 2 vho super actinics and 2 aquablue specials (12k) might be pretty sweet.
pookstreet
Registered Stick Killer
I thought you currently have the halides and 4 x T5's? The VHO's are about the same width. On another note, have you tried the T5 version of the super actinics? Make sure you get the ones from UVL, the same company that makes the VHO version. They are pretty darn close to the VHO but still not quite close to the same zing that the VHO's put out.
aquariumclown
New member
Yes I have 4 x T5's retrofit, I'm only using 1 reflector for 2 bulbs for each side. The vho bulbs and endcaps look much bigger., so I don't know how it will fit
Initially for my t5's I used ...
Aquablue plus
UVL super actinics
Aquablue plus
ATI blue plus
But it was too white for me with the 2 aquablue plus'. So I took out the UVL and Aquablue and replaced them with 2 blue plus. If I remember correctly, I couldn't see much difference with 1 UVL super actinics. Whenever I see people with 2 vhos in their tank, it always stands our so much. Not sure how much difference between the UVL super actinics and vho super actinics.
Initially for my t5's I used ...
Aquablue plus
UVL super actinics
Aquablue plus
ATI blue plus
But it was too white for me with the 2 aquablue plus'. So I took out the UVL and Aquablue and replaced them with 2 blue plus. If I remember correctly, I couldn't see much difference with 1 UVL super actinics. Whenever I see people with 2 vhos in their tank, it always stands our so much. Not sure how much difference between the UVL super actinics and vho super actinics.
aquariumclown
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15574523#post15574523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpoletti
I run my halides for only 4 hours and I run VHO's; PAR shmar
I still wonder how people were so successful all these years before we had all these numbers and toys to play with.
I wonder that too. I think they have reef superpowers that common mortals don't have.
pookstreet
Registered Stick Killer
You can always go to individual reflectors for the T5's. The VHO super actinics have internal reflectors built into the bulb. The endcaps are bigger but they are essentially the same with as the T5 individual reflectors. You really need 2 super actinics to make a difference.
pookstreet
Registered Stick Killer
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15574523#post15574523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpoletti
I run my halides for only 4 hours and I run VHO's; PAR shmar
I still wonder how people were so successful all these years before we had all these numbers and toys to play with.
I used to run NO bulbs in the prehistoric days
Then I jerry rigged some HO later on.
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