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Vho (very high output) flourescent lights

Clint

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i have a VHO ballast with 4 normal output flourescent lights in it. a NO light that is 48 inches long is 40 watts, but a VHO light is 110 watts. do they make grow lights in VHO? if not, could i use aquarium VHO lights?

here are the specs of vho aquarium lights:

Actinic White
Actinic White (12000K) = 50% actinic 03 blue phosphors & 50% white spectrum(triband). High performance upgrade which are great for corals, live rock, and related marine life.



Super Actinic

Super Actinic R (420nm peak) = 100% blue spectrum. These are the most widely used aquarium bulbs on the market. They are great for reef applications and coral health.



AquaSun

AquaSun (10000K) = 100% white spectrum.
All URI lamps come with 180` internal reflector which allow 40% more light output


i got this info from marinedepot.com

these lights are used to grow coral, because they have a symbiotic algea inside that gives them energy, and since algea is a plant, maybe these lights will work my cps?

thanks!
clint
 
I use a compact flourescent. Its 6500K and 65wtt

Joe
 
um... i say use the whitspectrum bulbs for your plants
because as light shines through water, certain colors dont penetrate to certain depths.
this is why lots of lights for reef tanks are blue spectrum, because lots of coral are found in the blue light spectrum range under the sea.
but plants above water recieve the whole light spectrum i think except green, because a color cant absorbs that colors light spectrum, thats why black aborbs somuch light and heats up, it lacks color, and white doesnt aborb much light and stays cool, it reflects most of it
Hope that helps,
Hellz
 
but dont plants use light in the blue spectrum to grow? wouldn't the super actinic work for that?

i dont have to use marine lights, but if they are better i'd rather use them.
 
but dont plants use light in the blue spectrum to grow? wouldn't the super actinic work for that?

i dont have to use marine lights, but if they are better i'd rather use them.
 
ISN'T RED FOR GROWING AND BLUE FOR FLOWERING?

Sorry I had my "caps" on.

Joe
 
i'm pretty sure its the other way around. blue for growing and red for flowering.
 
Chlorophyll A absorbs light at both 435nm and 675nm. In addition there are other compounds within the plant that absorb light at different wavelenths in between. The net effect is there is a peak absorption of light at 435nm which slopes downward slowly to 675nm. The high point at 675nm is about 2/3 the highpoint at 435nm.

That's the technical deal..
Simple terms.. plants need light across the visible spectrum to grow properly. Having it a bit towards the blue side is ok and will promote more leafy growth than flowering.
Tony
 
  • #10
Hmm I can't say for sure Clint. Probably would be ok but will cost an awful lot to keep buying those highend aquarium bulbs. They still contain alot of blue even though they are 'full spectrum', based on the color temperature near 10-12k.

They do make coolwhite and daylight type(chroma 50 etc) in HO and VHO but you would have to order them from a lighting store probably. The other problem is they may not have the bipins to fit a standard fixture. No clue what a 48" chroma 50 in vho would cost but I would guess it's less than an Aquasun.

If your only lighting a 4' area you might be better off considering a couple of the 65w 6500k compact fluorescent fluorex or reagent fixtures that homedepot/lowes carry. Will cost just a little more than 4 of those Aquasun tubes and the fixtures come with bulbs (which are replaceable and cost less than the specialty vho bulbs).
Tony
 
  • #11
well, i cant see replacing the balast when its only a year old and perfectly good. spending money to replace the bulbs isn't a problem. The endcaps will fit a vho bulb, i got a retrofit kit from a marine specialist aquarium store.

could you tell me where i could find coolwhite and daylight vho bulbs, like could i order them from homedepot, walmart, or lowes?
 
  • #12
You might find them online but not sure from who. I have never used them but a search of sylvania, ge, phillips etc indicates they make several standard bulbs in HO and VHO styles. It would take a lighting store to order them, the retailers you mention wouldn't have a clue about them. I am also just guessing that a coolwhite in VHO is going to be cheaper than one of the specialty aquarium bulbs.

If you decide to try and find the coolwhite or daylight type in VHO, you will need to check the connector type at the end of the tubes. There are many different ends besides the two prong types.

BTW you can always add back some red spectrum if you go the aquarium bulb route.. just put a couple incandescent bulbs over the plants to turn on and off with the aquasun..
Tony
 
  • #13
i ordered some from mayer electric
smile.gif
problem solved
 
  • #14
<span style='font-size:11pt;line-height:100%'>Our local "Home Depot" stores here in Tucson carry VHO lamps, but not fixtures or ballast.</span>
smile_h_32.gif
 
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