VHO vs. NO lights very interesting

[JEREMY78247]

I recently read a very interesting article from icecap about driving NO lamps from your neighborhood hardware store vs. using VHO bulbs. For those of us using VHO lighting this is a must read.
icecapinc
(http://www.icecapinc.com/rev3.htm)

[OldSalty]

I ran GE sunshine 40 w and 6500k 40 on my icecap for a year without any problem, but didn't really like the color so I changed back to VHO.

[JEREMY78247]

how did your tank like the lights, was there plenty of coral growth?

[Brett Wilson]

It's very difficult to beat the bright light from the 6500K Daylight Deluxe bulbs at home depot on an icecap ballast (not used in this test)... However they usually only stock those in 4ft lengths.
They sure do grow some algae though! They are pretty darn yellow.

I wouldnt use them on a saltwater setup, only freshwater.

[JEREMY78247]

well i went out today and picked up a 48" sylvania daylight 65k for $7 @ lowes. Running it on an icecap 430 with an actanic vho, i gotta tell ya it looks pretty darn good. Thats a lot of bang for your buck. If i can find that same bulb in 72" that will be even better.

[Brett Wilson]

The Phillips Daylight Deluxe are 2 for ~$7 at home depot.

[JEREMY78247]

aww...now you tell me....thanks anyways

[JEREMY78247]

well I tried both lights, the Phillips daylight deluxe (5000k) and the Sylvania 6500k. Im very happy with the color of the Sylvania but the Phillips is a little to much on the yellow side so I won't be using that one anymore. So just to recap a Sylvania 65000k and regular vho actanic run on an icecap 430 look awsome IMO. I plan on adding three more Sylvania bulbs and one more actanic and that should complete my lights for now.

[GaryP]

If you can just get them to stock actinic bulbs you will be all set.

[JEREMY78247]

hi Gary, your right. I wonder if there are light mfg's out there that make an actanic light but don't really consider it a specialty light........probably just wishful thinking.

[GaryP]

Drop a note to alton. He would be the guy to know. That's the kind of thing that he does for a living.

[Ross]

my old tank w/2 4ft. 40w phillips NO 65k bulbs and 2 110w vho actinics.

[JEREMY78247]

wow ross, those colors look great. I'll post a pic of mine after all the lights are installed...nice tank.

[Ross]

Thanks, yeah those colors did look very nice. Alot better than my 10k mh w/vho actinics i have now.

[JEREMY78247]

NO actanics....I didn't even think of that. Can you buy a 48" NO actanic?