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.

 

VHO is outdated technology.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

 

Well, I don't really consider my practically brand new VHO's 'outdated' technology!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

 

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

 

Hey, I have outdated vho's also ;D I'm just telling the truth about fluorescent lighting technology...

 

i wouldn't call vho outdated as it is still preffered by many reefers over pc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?ViewItem&category=46314&item=4350780756&rd=1

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

 

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

 

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:

 

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