VHO or Standard  fixture, how can I tell..

Is there a way to tell if my light fixture is a standard or a VHO? I checked inside the lighting fixture and it says 30-40 watt bulbs only. The thing is, it is only one tube and it has an external ballast.

I bought my tank/stand/lighting fixtures used and the hood with the MH and 2 fluorescents is definitely DIY'd....

It is an Oceanic brand fixture.....but their website stinks....couldn't find any info on it.

My hubby is an electrical engineer so we have lots of test gear around....is there a way to test it? :

 

Re: VHO or Standard  fixture, how can I tell.

I meant to add that if the other hood is homemade, then perhaps the fixture was upgraded as well so., any suggestions? Thanks

 

Re: VHO or Standard  fixture, how can I tell..

The watts indicate to me that they are normal fluorescents but look at the width of the bulb. VHOs are thicker, 1.5".  Normals are 1".


http://www.aquarium-lighting-guide.com/fluorescent

 

Re: VHO or Standard  fixture, how can I tell.

what does it say for wattage.

 

Re: VHO or Standard  fixture, how can I tell..

You will need to check the wattage output of the ballast to find out if it is different than what the hood says, if it is not marked on the ballast, hubby ought to be able to check it... Most VHO fluorescents are 110 watts per bulb, hence the expensive ballasts that are associated with them (Ice Cap etc.). Regular fluorescents are 40 watts (or lower), as previously mentioned.

Drew

 

Re: VHO or Standard  fixture, how can I tell.

Thanks all, gotta go check on those ideas......

 

Re: VHO or Standard  fixture, how can I tell..

Birdlady,
As you may have noticed in my sig, I'll be starting out with 4-40watt NO bulbs (2 actinic, 2 50-50) and then I'm going to add, as the tank develops, 2 65W pc bulbs (a retrofit kit), and replace 2 of the 40W with 2 VHO 110W.
This will give me 410-430watts which is plenty for the size of my tank. ;D

I'll probably have to raise the lights up some because the tank is only 16" deep, I don't want to burn anyone or raise the heat too much!!!

Here's a typical bulb size and watts breakdown:

NO
18" 15w
24" 20w
36" 30w
48" 40w

VHO
24" 75w
36" 95w
48" 110w
60" 140w

These are just typical there are a lot of other configurations. The Pc lights come in a lot of different configurations also... Hope this helps ;D ;D 8)

 

Re: VHO or Standard  fixture, how can I tell.

Yeah, DX that helps , as did the link Matt sent...

I was hoping the fixture I had would take VHO bulbs but the 1 inch tubes fit , so it must be regular NO. I have a MH 175 watt with 2 fluorescents inside one hood, then I have another 2 tube fixture, and a single tube fixture (all 36&quot. The single tube fixture had an external ballast and I wasn't sure they made NO's with external ballast but I guess the do. I was hoping it was VHO to spread the light all the way across a bit as opposed to the single MH in the center...that's OK tho, I will just make sure the things that need more light are in the center ;D

 

Re: VHO or Standard  fixture, how can I tell.

I may eventually redo the hood with VHO but at the moment, I have other toys I wanna get ;D and I definitely have plenty of light for now so....

Thanks

 

Re: VHO or Standard  fixture, how can I tell..

You are welcome Lady of the Birds!!