Any where to get a cheap VHO set up

Is there a way to build your own VHO lighiting. I called home depot and they dont carry anything VHO.

[Diver_1298]

VHO is outdated technology. The new T5 Fluorescents put out more light per watt than vho's. But if you want to go vho you can buy a ballast for about $125 that will run 4 - 48" bulbs and the 4 foot bulbs are about $14 for the actinic's and $22 for the daylight bulbs (white). Then the end caps with stand offs are about $25.00 SO if my math is correct that's about $225.00 for everything but the reflectors, if you want them, and you have to add shipping. Plus the wire, enclosure and wire nuts to put it all together.
Here is a helpful lighting link for information only.
http://www.specialty-lights.com/aquariumfaq.html

[Birdlady]

Well, I don't really consider my practically brand new VHO's 'outdated' technology!

T-5's MAY put out more light per watt, but it is only usable if you have the right reflectors , which end up using as much space in the canopy as the VHO's. I also know several people who prefer VHO' s over the PC's. \

Price wise, I don't know how the two compare....tho...as that is a consideration. I like my VHO's as suppliments to my MH.


Reef Guy, check into some electrical supply places, or lighting specialty places for what you need.

[Birdlady]

Or that website Diver posted (missed that first time around....hehe )

[Diver_1298]

Hey, I have outdated vho's also I'm just telling the truth about fluorescent lighting technology...

[00nothing]

i wouldn't call vho outdated as it is still preffered by many reefers over pc

not sure what size tank u have but grab either icecap (best and most expensive balalsts out there) or workehorse 7 (cheap and super reliable ballasts) and then u can get whatever flourescents u want T5 or vho

i was thinking of going diy t5 but after taking a good look at the cost of building including refectors vho is much cheaper and is tried and tested as being a good form of lighting if u do decide to go with vho by uri bulbs each bulb has a built in reflector

and just in case ure wondering i am choosing vho over MH which i already own the mh puts out way to much heat and thats starts to create its own set of problems

I need it for my 55 gal tank, which I am turning into a reef tank. From what I see reef lighting starts at $250 + its like the most expensive component of the tank. Would this be sufficent for a reef tank http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...80756&rd=1

also are the actinic's bulbs needed? Can you just have daylight bulbs

[Birdlady]

Well, again, it depends on what animals you want to keep. Fish and soft corals should be OK under that and maybe some LPS corals. No for SPS, Anemones, Clams.

I have 367 watts on my 58 gallon and I would hesitate to put any high light requiring SPS corals. My clam is directly under my 175 W MH.

Yes, lights are one of the most expensive components. But when you consider light to be a main source of food for photosynthetic invertebrates, and how much money you will lose if your animals don't make it...it is worth the money

[dx7fd2]

I got my ballasts from Hellolights.com for $35 each and they each run 2-110w VHO's. You have to wire them yourself. The endcaps I used are the german ones $10 for 2 and I built the bulb box from pine I got from HomeDepot.

I also put together a box for the ballast and wiring with 2 fans and some LEDs to let me know what was on and what was not on. (Fluff that you don't really need but I like it.)

Total cost (with the fans and extras in the ballast box) $235 w/bulbs. *Here's a pic:

[00nothing]

that is exactly how it should be done i think people spend way to much money in general on lighting when DIY is so easy even if ure not comfortable with it u could buy the parts and pay an electrician and still be a lot cheaper than prefab fixtures