48" VHO retrofit Questions

[RedfordReefer]

Will this ballast work? The icecap is out of my price range.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VHO-Reef-Light-Ballast-Replacement-2-Bulb-Retrofit_W0QQitemZ300354648675QQihZ020QQcategoryZ4 6314QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286.m7QQ_trkparmsZal go%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3 D8223334071171431644

Thanks lighting gods.

[tazzy695]

redford what I would do is get rid of the vho parts and swap for t5ho get a workhorse 7 ballast 45 at your local electrical store end caps 20 per bulb and 20 each reflector

the workhorse 7 ballast will run 4 t5ho bulbs or you could go workhorse 5 for I think 25 last time I checked to run 2 bulbs

[RedfordReefer]

redford what I would do is get rid of the vho parts and swap for t5ho get a workhorse 7 ballast 45 at your local electrical store end caps 20 per bulb and 20 each reflector

the workhorse 7 ballast will run 4 t5ho bulbs or you could go workhorse 5 for I think 25 last time I checked to run 2 bulbs

This is possible for the future definately. for now, I can't spring $100 for new lights.

[tazzy695]

i hear ya what all do you have for the vho system

[RedfordReefer]

End cape (the three-part ones), and Two Super-white Actinic lights.

[tazzy695]

ok so you have 4 waterproof endcaps and 2 bulbs

[tazzy695]

do you think you will be able to have $$ for a 4 bulb t5ho setup in say a month

if so then list your vho parts for sale while your tank cycles save up the money for proper lights

[RedfordReefer]

I honestly don't know. It might be a couple months. I will take your advice though. I just have to scrape up the cash. I have about $200 a month for upgrades and such. My march budget is gone, and with April, I was going to get a real skimmer.

[tazzy695]

yea skimmer and quality lights are going to be your biggest investment

the stuff you have now would be good for actinic supplemental lighting and that is about it

however as a priority goes you can run a tank without a skimmer but no corals will survive without lights once the tank has completed cycle

[tazzy695]

your first couple of months you system will be virtually nutrient free with little to no actual need for the skimmer