VHO Lighting recommendations

macboat

macboat

Nano simplicity
Hi, I decided to go with VHO bulbs on my 230G tank and I want some opinions and recommendations.

My tank is 72" long, 24"deep and 31" tall.
Plan to use 8 VHO bulbs, 2 super actinic, 2 actinic blue, 2 20K, 2 13K(50/50). Driven by 2 Icecap 660.
Plan to keep fish, softcorals and some SPS and RBTA

Questions,
1. Is 8 VHOs strong enough for sps and RBTA?
2. What do you recommend for the color combination?

Thank you!
 
Last edited:
I run 4 VHO bulbs on my 90 and have 40-50 sps along with some lps, you just have to pick the sps with lower light demands.

As to the colors I am not familiar with the 20k and 13k bulbs you list. I use all URI bulbs and am currently running 2 atinic white, 1 03 super atinic and just bought one of the new 454 true blue bulbs. The 454 bulb is terrific since it is blue and not the violet of the 03's. I had previously had 3 atinic whites which was too "white" for me and the corals. The 454 added the blue I wanted and all the corals have responded well. I would definitly look into the 454's.
 
I also run 4 VHO's. They are from my old tank. 72" 2 white and 2 blue. Always used URI bulbs. Was really happy with them. Have a mixed reef and a couple of anemones. Everthing grows like crazy. I have a Magnificent for about 9 years (split 3 times) and a LTA for 8 years. The LTA is in the sand and the Magnificents are on the rocks as high as possible. Old tank was 24" high, but this one is about 29" and the Magnificents are not as high up anymore, so I am thinking about switching to T5's or LED's to accommodate the light requirements so they stay healthy.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15508962#post15508962 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jimsplace
I run 4 VHO bulbs on my 90 and have 40-50 sps along with some lps, you just have to pick the sps with lower light demands.

As to the colors I am not familiar with the 20k and 13k bulbs you list. I use all URI bulbs and am currently running 2 atinic white, 1 03 super atinic and just bought one of the new 454 true blue bulbs. The 454 bulb is terrific since it is blue and not the violet of the 03's. I had previously had 3 atinic whites which was too "white" for me and the corals. The 454 added the blue I wanted and all the corals have responded well. I would definitly look into the 454's.
Click to expand...

Thanks for reply!

How deep is your tank? Mine is kinda tall at 31".
the 13K I am listed is actually 50/50 or actinic white that you were using.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15509492#post15509492 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clownaround2
I also run 4 VHO's. They are from my old tank. 72" 2 white and 2 blue. Always used URI bulbs. Was really happy with them. Have a mixed reef and a couple of anemones. Everthing grows like crazy. I have a Magnificent for about 9 years (split 3 times) and a LTA for 8 years. The LTA is in the sand and the Magnificents are on the rocks as high as possible. Old tank was 24" high, but this one is about 29" and the Magnificents are not as high up anymore, so I am thinking about switching to T5's or LED's to accommodate the light requirements so they stay healthy.
Click to expand...

How big is your old tank and current tank?
 
My old tank was a 155 G bowfront. This one is 240 G Acrylic. Had it for one month now and everything still grows. In the old tank, because of the curve in the bowfront, the water didn't get so warm, but by the new tank the opening is exactly the same size has the VHO unit. So the water is getting to warm. :( That was another reason, I was thinking of getting T5's. Maybe LED's would be even better, but the up front cost is so much. I am little scared to switch, because everything is still doing so well with the my existing lights. Even the anemonen. You said, you wanted to use 8 VHO's?! Like 8x 36"? Or 72" Don't think they would fit or would look so nice, because the lights reflect all the way to the bottom of the sides of the tank. My 240 is 24" deep, the light unit is 12", could probably use one or two lights to make it perfect but not more.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15512763#post15512763 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clownaround2
My old tank was a 155 G bowfront. This one is 240 G Acrylic. Had it for one month now and everything still grows. In the old tank, because of the curve in the bowfront, the water didn't get so warm, but by the new tank the opening is exactly the same size has the VHO unit. So the water is getting to warm. :( That was another reason, I was thinking of getting T5's. Maybe LED's would be even better, but the up front cost is so much. I am little scared to switch, because everything is still doing so well with the my existing lights. Even the anemonen. You said, you wanted to use 8 VHO's?! Like 8x 36"? Or 72" Don't think they would fit or would look so nice, because the lights reflect all the way to the bottom of the sides of the tank. My 240 is 24" deep, the light unit is 12", could probably use one or two lights to make it perfect but not more.
Click to expand...

I will be using 8x4' VHO (stagared) , driving by 2 Icecap 660.
 
Have 1 10k and 1 454 on my 150 and love the 454. Planning on upgrading to 300 and use 2 super, 1 10k and 1 454 all as supplement on it.
 
VHO ROCKS!! I've been using VHO since they were first available - 20+ years ago. As long as you choose wisely, and place well, you can have anything you want in there.

Try www.hellolights.com i've had great service from them
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15517934#post15517934 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by macboat
Hey where you guys buy VHO bulbs? Any places to recommend?
Click to expand...

Drs Foster & Smiths run sales fairly often, I have not seen the 454's listed and had my lfs get them for me. Some times the lfs price is not far off of online when you figure in shipping $. I would stay with the URI bulbs.
 
t-8 or t-12 which would be best i choosing the vho because parts are readily available at hd ect. i have a 125 and is also 72 long how many bulbs should i look at and what size 72,48 and so on

thanks
 
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