Need VHO Actinic advice

toejam · Dec 23, 2011

I am running 2 400 radiums on my 6x2x2 tank. I would like to add some blue to the tank. I think i need a ballast icecap 660 model, a VHO 72 inch bulb and what else, end caps and wiring? I cant find a reflector this big. What other ballasts could I use?

mojo · Dec 23, 2011

check out aro. I know they handle 4ft bulbs but check they have kits at hello lights and champion lighting I believe.

Coralvue has a ballast that works too.

toejam · Dec 23, 2011

Do they make reflectors for vho bulbs? Thanks mojo, hello has a kit for two vho at 70.00 thats pretty sweet.

Troylee · Dec 23, 2011

No need for reflectors... Vho bulbs have a internal reflector...

get a 454 and super actinic that's the bomb combo!!!! I used a work horse 7 ballast on mine... All you need is 2 bulbs and 4 endcaps... And either one or 2 ballast depending on which ballast you use...

kuyatwo · Dec 23, 2011

Vho have built in reflectors

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turfster26 · Dec 24, 2011

+1....URL VHO bulbs have built in reflectors. PA carries a great size selection of bulbs. IMHO I would stick strickily with Blue Actinic and do not use a combo of bulbs (i.e.: 454's, etc). I am switching out my (4) 60" VHO bulbs next week and going with (4) Blue Actinic and dumping the (2) 454's.

HTH

BlueDartReefer · Dec 24, 2011

I'm running two 160W Super Actinic VHO's on our 265G off a 430 Ice Cap Ballast. Four end caps, a wiring extension harness and the two 6' bulbs with built in reflectors and we were good to go.

xcorallusx · Dec 24, 2011

I was going to setup the same vho setup but my roomate broke the ballast by dropping it and decided to go with reefbrite blue led strips. they work great and I love the low energy/heat.

Troylee · Dec 25, 2011

Trust me guys if your gonna run vhos make sure to throw a 454 in the mix... Your reds and orange will pop fierce!!!

I always ran 2 super actinics and loved it but when I through a 454 in the mix my tank just popped like 100 percent more...

dallas reefer · Dec 26, 2011

+1 on 454

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CookieJar · Dec 27, 2011

Before going all in on VHO, which do look nice, I recommend looking into LED strip lights (i.e. reefbright blue 48"), which will use much less energy and don't need replacing like the VHO bulbs do. I used to have 2 VHOs actinic, then T5s, now blue LEDs. If you do go VHOs, 454 are the ones.