LED suplemental lighting DIY VHO T12

Alabamareef · Apr 11, 2015

So I've taken off work today because my bulbs were coming in. Around 2 still no Fed Ex. Went to the web page and it said my package was damaged, uggggg. So I drive to the distribution center and only 5 of the 10 were broken. The guy there was very nice and let us take the 5 good bulbs.

Alabamareef · Apr 11, 2015

Was able to get it up and running. Now we will see how the corals respond.
Was<a href="http://s921.photobucket.com/user/rab1212/media/Aquarium/622F401E-6EE6-4D3C-B6B5-DBFAF630A3BF_zpsw9l0mq31.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad59/rab1212/Aquarium/622F401E-6EE6-4D3C-B6B5-DBFAF630A3BF_zpsw9l0mq31.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 622F401E-6EE6-4D3C-B6B5-DBFAF630A3BF_zpsw9l0mq31.jpg"/></a> able to get it up and going today, looks great. Now just wait to see how the corals respond.

Alabamareef · Apr 11, 2015

Meant for this picture to show up

powdermonkey · Apr 11, 2015

I too went old school. I like the look but I really cant say if I am getting better color or growth. I buy my bulbs from champion lighting. It does take them a while to get them to me. Where did you get your bulbs?

Alabamareef · Apr 12, 2015

Got them on ebay. I think the person still has a bunch left. They are 60" and if your interested let me know and I'll send you a link. Now I'll let you know how good their customer service is in a couple of days. They really did not package these lamps very well. Five were broken. They put them in a small box with a little bubble wrap on one side only...

I guess the policy of Fed Ex is if a packaged is damaged they will not even attempted to deliver it. Luckly I was tracking it on the computer and called when it said the package was damaged. They opened the box for me and told me 5 were damaged and 5 were good so I got to go pick them up. They were very nice and I was glad at least two made it. Ive been patiently waiting...

powdermonkey said:
I too went old school. I like the look but I really cant say if I am getting better color or growth. I buy my bulbs from champion lighting. It does take them a while to get them to me. Where did you get your bulbs?

powdermonkey · Apr 12, 2015

I use 72" but yes please send me the link, Thanks

Alabamareef · Apr 12, 2015

Can't find them on ebay right now. I hope to hear from the people Monday and I'll ask if they've got more. I know when I ordered they had 28 and I ordered 10 but they need to send me 5 more, I hope. Will keep you posted. It was a great deal at $12.50 each...

Fin · Apr 12, 2015

Champion Lighting is where I used to get mine also. However; a quick check there today shows they're out of just about every size I checked. So, they may not be stocking them any longer either. Hope you can find more.

Alabamareef · Apr 12, 2015

I bought plenty. I only need 2 at a time. How often do you need to change them out?

hawkinsrgk · Apr 12, 2015

Following

Alabamareef · Apr 12, 2015

Anyone, how long between bulb changes with T12's. Someone has told me once a year but want others thoughts...

Alabamareef · Apr 16, 2015

The VHO's have a GREAT look about them. Don't understand why more people are not using them. I've got a couple of friends that have used the T5s to supplament their LED's with actinics but I'm seeing more from these VHO's.

Alabamareef · Apr 27, 2015

Not even a month and I'm noticing color differences and plop extension I've never seen. You may not know but I dumped a lot of Kalk by accident just a month ago and thought a lot of my corals were dead. My Red dragon really looked bad but it's back and looking great. So I could only imagine how much better would be had that Kalk accident not happens.

hawkinsrgk · Apr 27, 2015

That's awesome Alan. Would love to come by and check it out sometime

Alabamareef · Apr 30, 2015

Just let me know when

Alabamareef · May 9, 2015

Any other VHO users out there? Just courious about how often you need to change them. I've noticed better polyp extension and some color changes that I'm happy with.