VHO Lighting Questions

[Beverly]

Currently running two of each of these URI VHO tubes on our 3' 67g. Don't like the colour of the corals under them as everything looks sort of brown, even with the two actinics :confused: Tubes were changed about 6 weeks ago and there was no improvement in colour:

URI VHO Aquasun, 10000K:
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/bulbs.php?product_ID=lb-uad3v

URI VHO Actinic:
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/bulbs.php?product_ID=lb-usa3v

Am thinking of dropping the Aquasuns and using Actinic Whites instead. Does anyone have experience with these tubes? Will I notice a colour difference in the corals?

URI VHO Actinic White 14000K:
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/bulbs.php?product_ID=lb-uaw3v

Are there other VHO tubes out there that will perk up the colours of my corals? Will continue to use the URI VHO actinics.

TIA :smile:

[Invigor]

I didn't like the actinic whites...they were extremely purple/pinkish for me. I find the 10000ks to be kinda pink too, so I balance it out with 2 NO hagen actinics and it's fine

[Beverly]

Invigor,

Here is the Hamilton VHO light fixture that I have on the 67g. It will not take NO actinic tubes. Also, am already running VHO actinics:

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-fl-hood.php?product_ID=fl-hd34095

Anybody know if there such things as 14000k VHOs?

[Troy F]

Have you ever tried Coralife's VHO bulbs? I personally liked them better than URI. They have a 10000K bulb if I remember correctly.

[Beverly]

Troy,

What do you like better about the Coralife's 1000k VHO tubes over URI's 10000K tubes? I'm looking to increase the colour of the corals in the tank. With the URIs, most of the corals are brownish in colour.

For example, I have a Euphyllia sp. It was under a 175w ARC 14000k MH in my 37g and the colours were light green tips and pale green/whitish stalks. Under the two 10000k and two actinic VHO URIs in the 67g, the tips are still light green, but the stalks have turned light brown.

[Troy F]

Well it was almost six years ago when I switched out the Coralife bulbs for URI because Coralife were not very good according to the BB experts. I found them to be less pinky brown and more white/blue. A lot may have changed since then but I remember being somewhat disappointed after getting the URIs. I payed an arm and leg for them too.

[Beverly]

I didn't like the actinic whites...they were extremely purple/pinkish for me. I find the 10000ks to be kinda pink too, so I balance it out with 2 NO hagen actinics and it's fine

Are your two NO Hagen actinics overdriven on VHO ballasts, or did you rig up the right ballasts for the NOs?

Well it was almost six years ago when I switched out the Coralife bulbs for URI because Coralife were not very good according to the BB experts. I found them to be less pinky brown and more white/blue.

Am a little confused. Do you mean that the Coralifes were less pinky brown and more white/blue than the URIs?

[Doug]

Hi Bev,
I posted on RC regarding this, but as mentioned there, I like the colour from the 50/50 bulbs mixed with some super actinics. Even though it seems not to be the popular opinion here.

I was talking with a guy on another board the other day, thats switching from 5ft. URI actinics to Philips vho actinics.

[Beverly]

Doug,

I wonder what other VHOs Philips might have. Got a website for them?

[Troy F]

Yes, sorry, that wasn't very clear. I liked the colour of the coralife bulbs better.

[Invigor]

no they're running at NO on a hagen 40w glomat ballast. my wh7 can only power 2 vhos. I could overdrive them, but I find they emit enough blue that I don't need to..plus at the price tag, I don't want to fry them too fast

[Beverly]

Philips Lights:

http://www.nam.lighting.philips.com/can/consumer/products_natural.php

Did not find any reference to VHOs at all.

[Veng68]

Check out the massive RC VHO thread:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=466edc0208e5476cb1ef87b8910565ad&threadid=206608&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

Cheers,
Vic[Veng68]

[Doug]

Bev, I checked again and seen Andy only mentioned 5ft. 140w Philips vho actinic bulbs. I dont know what else they have or where he purchased them, but can find out if you wish.

[Beverly]

Vic,

Thanks for the link :biggrin:

Doug,

Thanks for the offer to check further into your friend's tubes, but it won't be necessary.

I went back to my old neighbour's place this morning where I got the almost-killed me frags. He's running URI VHOs on his 4' and 6' tanks. He needs new tubes soon, so I think we're going to do a shipment together. I'll get 4 50/50s and mix and match them with the Aquasuns and Super Actinics we already have until we get a good combination.

[Doug]

almost-killed me frags.

:eek:

[Beverly]

almost-killed me frags.

:eek:

Missed this thread (http://www.canreef.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16098)?

Actually, wasn't near death at all when all was said and done. But I was pretty freaked :eek: