Actinic Suggestions?

[Sherri]

I'm wanting to add some actinics to my 180...right now I have 3 ea. Aqua Medic 20K 250 DE Ocean Light Pendants....but want my actinics back also. Any suggestions as to what would be best? I have great growth of both my LPS & SPS....I want some color. Miss the actinics... :)

Thanks...
:)
Sherri

[Texreefer]

can't go wrong with a couple of 110w VHO with some URI super actinics

[GaryP]

6 ft. VHO 160 watt on an IceCap ballast.

No doubt.

[Sherri]

Yeah...was thinking a 6 ft. I had 48" Hamilton 110W VHO Actinic's on my 100 before this 180 - Any suggestions as to what brand is good other than Hamilton? Icecap?

[Ed]

...Any suggestions as to what brand is good other than Hamilton? Icecap?

Sherri,

As Todd said, URI (now UVL) Super Actinic R bulbs which are 100% blue and peak at 420nm. If not the best actinic, they are very, very good. I have the T5HO version and think they are great.

Ed

[purplesprite]

not to hijack your thread or anything Sherri but this is good fyi. does anyone know how long before you have to change your vho bulbs?

[alton]

When they get dull or lose there intensity. I have talked to Gary about this, there is no magic number on lamp failure or light loss. I have suggested to Gary that maybe MAAST could purchase a couple of light meters and rent or give them out with a deposit until it is returned.
Sherri I am not sure but a 6' lamp with WP end caps may be over 6'? So be careful before you buy something and it doesn't fit, you might have to drop down to a 5' lamp. I have a 6' in my 7' canopy so I will measure it tonight. Maybe someone out there knows for sure?

[NaCl_H2O]

Sherri, I run VHO and PC actinics - the VHO (URL) Super Actinic are FAR better color than the PCs. Also, I had 6' VHO's which are a PITA, I switched to multiple 24" VHO runing front to back over the tank - I like this config much better. I would also look into T5s?

[Sherri]

Steve...yeah...I definitely want the VHO URL Super Actinics...I haad those on my 100...was very pleased. I'm beginning to think the multiple 24" VHO running front to back between the 250 Pendants might not be a bad idea instead of the single long...there is about a 12" between each pendant and on the outside of the pendants.

Anyone know a good source to buy them?

[JimD]

ummm, ehem...... I have an Icecap 430 with three almost new 95 watt 3' VHO actinics with harness and waterproof endcaps with stand-offs iffn' youre interested. Shoot me a PM.

[TexasTodd]

Hey Sherri.

I remember hearing something about the longer length bulbs in VHO actinic being more efficeint due to the wave length or something........

CB Pets! They charge about what they are on line and no shipping. ;)

Todd

[Sherri]

Thanks Todd for the info...guess we'll sit down & do some figuring now. Thanks everybody... :)