VHO frag tank?

Just thinking here....

I want to set up a frag tank, but was thinking there must be a more cost effective way rather than a whole new tank & lighting system...

Well, at my LFS they have like square Rubbermaid (shallow)tubs that they use as show tanks for some corals & clams. I was thinking about plumbing this to a 20g long.

Now, for my question. We have several T12 hanging fixtures from our old house that we had hung up in the basement. Could I use these(there's 2, they are each 2 bulbs) for my lighting & use VHO bulbs, since VHO are t12's?

 

Only if you have VHO ballasts.

 

um...without taking them apart is there a way I can fin that out?

 

Here's the two fixtures...

 

Well I opened it up & the ballast doesn't really say anything about using or not using with VHO's. Just says not to us PCB's & it is intended for "household use" for T-12 lamps".

 

Does the ballast have any electrical ratings on it? A VHO bulb would be say 110w while a standard bulb would be 40w. If the ballast isn't rated for 220w it won't be a VHO ballast.

Here's a link to show what I mean:

ARO VHO Ballast, 220W - AquaCave

 

uggh..."for use with 25w, 34w, or 40w lamps"...

 

If I can find space for the 48" long fixture(meaning a 48" frag tank) then it would be worth it to replace the ballast. Though I don't know how much the VHO bulbs cost..

OK so VHO's are about $22.

 

seano just buy a fixture, lighting isn't something to skimp on. trust me as some one who has tried.

also there was a reason vho(t12) was phased out, they are hot and not very bright.

 

I thought VHO were supposed to be brighter than T5, which is why they put out more heat.