VHO users - can recomend good product?

[class clown]

I've been using PC actinics and would like to switch to VHO's for actinics on my next tank.

It looks to me like there are two main brands of VHO ballasts on the market; ARO and IceCap. The IceCap name brand seems more familiar to me, but was wondering if anyone that has tried the ARO's and could recomend them. Ideally it would be awesome to hear from someone who may have tried them both to see if they noticed anything different from one to the other.

thanks in advance for any feedback.
Ben

or.

 

[CarlaW]

PFO also makes a VHO ballast, but I don't know offhand if you can buy them separate. I have used them and the Ice Cap, and am happy with both. I haven't noticed a difference with either one Ben, so I am not gonna say which is better, cuz I really don't know. HTH

 

[class clown]

that's good to know Charlie. the PFO's are less expensive too I think. I certainly like their MH and products and those LED's are sweet.

 

[CarlaW]

Yeah, if someone gave me an unlimited budget, I would own some LED lighting.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

As a loooooooong time VHO user (since the beta days with neoprene endcaps), there is only one word, IceCap!

It will be your first and last VHO ballast.

 

[plack]

I bought a used acro ballast and used it for over a year with no problems then sold it when I got a different sized tank. Can't compare it to icecap but it work fine

 

[CCR]

I have both PFO and Ice Cap Never a problem with PFO, and thats using 6 dual 96wt PFO. 2 ice caps 660, one went out

 

[balogh03]

I never had any of the other ones but icecap, and love it. I am sure they are all comparable....


good luck

-augustus

 

[MikeS]

I use an IceCap on my VHO's, been using it for over 6 years now...good ballast, I also use the IceCap varible speed fan, it's really quiet

MikeS

 

[IAP Brian]

PFO ballast is available at Champion Lighting if one of your LFS doesn't have a PFO account.

 

[jezzeaepi]

Id strongly reconsider the whole VHO decision, and do T5's. VHO just do not punch like T5s do.

Check out this thread:
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22495&page=2
and scroll about halfway down to where katchupboy comments on how his VHo's compared to his T5's.

 

[reverendmaynard]

Of course, you could get the ice cap ballast and run t5s at vho power. That is how I light my 125.

 

[class clown]

Ok.. If I tallied the votes correctly, it looks like

• 2 for PFO
• 4 for IceCap w/ 1 not so great experience
• 1 for ARO
• 1 for T5s (Thanks Jesse for the curve ball)

Interesting about T5s, will have to research this more - I didn't even think about these - looks by the first could reads I did that a lot of people like this route. plus, if I did go with a wider tank (say 30" or 36"), I may need some more lighting coverage than my 2 250's could handle in which T5's may be the way to go. hmmm.. considerations, considerations...

I was original interested in the VHO's to help create a dusk and dawn experience. (Something for when the Halides shut off that will allow me to see everything in the tank, but not at the same intensity). I was thinking pure actinics, yes?

Question for VHO users - what's your bulb preference for actinics?

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Depends on if for fish or for corals. If for florescence or LUX. You need to decide what you are really trying to accomplish before you pick your bulbs, but ONLY buy URI bulbs. I prefer actinic sun which is a blend of phosphors, but am currently running all super actinics due to the preferences of the majority on our group order.

 

[reverendmaynard]

I think the general opinion is that VHO actinic bulbs are the best for the flourescing effect we look for, but t5 bulbs with individual reflectors will give you up to 3 times the usable light in the tank on the same ballast.

I use ATI Pure Actinic and ATI Blue Plus (one of each) for dusk/dawn and really like it. I'm not sure what the current "best VHO actinic" bulb is.

 

[Scooterman]

T5's can be put on dimmers, also! They are smaller so it is easier to fit more! The IC660 will run either. Supplementing with T5's would be more usable, not sure if they have a true actinic but very close from what I've seen. I've had VHO's & really like them but now with T5's I wouldn't consider them again. JMPO!

 

[class clown]

wow.... dimmers.. oh my.... I don't think my aquacontroller has dimming effects, but man, that would be slick to setup some automated dimmer thing!!!!!

Mike - here's an answer to your question. My goal (I think):

1) to get a good lighting for dusk to dawn effect with cool eye popping colors on corals and fish.
2) I'm also hoping for some good mood lighting to encourage my two anthias to slip into the clam shell together and make whoopie.. :shock:

Ok.. maybe not #2 (although I wouldn't mind if it was a byproduct), but I'm thinking I won't need to run anything during the day b/c I run 12k reeflux mhs during the day already (no need for any actinic). What I would need is some good light for about an hour in the morning and about 3 hrs at night to simulate a less intense dusk/dawn. That's why I was thinking those ARO's - they seem like I could get 3 seperate ballasts and just kill on at a time until they totally fade out.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

OK, I would go with Actinic Suns. They cost a little bit more, but have a nice blend of white and blue light. The colors will fluoresce, but it still provides nice overall illumination

 

[Scooterman]

You can Dim any fluorescents, easier with that controller
The light fixture I got from Krish had white LED's & Blue LED's, the whits make the best pre-dawn effect I've ever seen, I just need to put it on a timer. they really light up the tank!

 

[KRMNAL1]

Hi Ben,

My PFO ballast is the type that has an on/off switch for each bulb that I have had for over a year. I bought it used and the original owner said it was about 6 or 7 years old and never gave him any trouble. I also like the URI super actinics bulbs, by turning 1 off it gives a great moonlight effect.

PS -- any frag sales coming up in the future