Calling all 6ft vho users

[Psiber_Syn]

Looking for bulb combos right now im with 3 superactinic and 1 super white also how long to run them where to put corals that browned up but was fine under current orbit led
First time using vhos just looking at what others are doing

Any info or pics welcomed

 

[mfinn]

Wow, haven't seen anyone talk about using VHO lighting in a long time.
I use to use VHO as the primary lighting back in the early 90's.
Was really a nice color. I don't remember exactly what combo I used, but I'm pretty sure it was 2 white bulbs to 2 actinic.
I know that later on when the 454 actinic bulbs came out I switched.
Then when I went to mh, ( middle 90's), I used VHO actinic.in combo.
I used primarily UVL brand bulbs.

 

[mfinn]

I knew I still had a few old bulbs out in storage and the ones I had most of are UVL Actinic White and a combo of Super Actinic and 454 Actinic.
The Actinic White bulbs are a 50/50 bulb.
This probably isn't the most energy efficient way to light a reef tank.

 

[Psiber_Syn]

So do they grow coral or should i upgrade to a better light i want those colors like the fancy tanks have lol the lfs i go to still uses vhos with an added led rail

 

[mfinn]

To me the VHO as a main light source is on the lower end of the scale.
My next step up was to mh lighting which was a big improvement, then I went to T5's and led.

I think back in the late 80's and early 90's VHO had a place in the hobby for lighting a reef tank, but there are others that are so much better.
Still good for supplemental actinic lighting.

If you want the fancy colors, you are going to have to upgrade.

 

[Psiber_Syn]

As i thought plus the cost of bulbs is ridiculous
sooo wanna buy some vhos lol

Thanks for your input i dislike them as soon as they turned on wishing my little marine orbit would make the 6ft spread lol plus there is no lightning setting on the vhos lol