Okay...VHO or Power Compact

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by BCOrchidGuy

A combination is nice but, VHO bulbs are like NO fluorescents they should be replaced every 6 months. PC on the other hand last about 14+ months with no noticable spectral change (from what I have been able to find)

not nessasarly.. that is only if you are driving them with old tar ballasts.. and even if driving that way I still thenk 6 months is suspect.. think about it.. who tells you 6 months is all there good for.. the fish stores.. :shock: ... they want to sell you bulbs don't they... I think the drop in intensity and such of bulbs has been greatly overstated inorder to boost bulb sales.. but this is just my opinion

My VHO are 5 months old now and there has been no drop in intensity or change in color.. when you use electronic ballasts you can greatly increase the life of your bulbs.. the NO power glow's I have on my fresh water tank are now 2 years old with only a 10% drop in output.. also when you are talking about Actinics how much of a change does it take to make the bulb no good..

Steve