Who uses URI VHO Full Spectrums?

[Dewman]

Since I started my first tank in August last year, I have been using Full Spectrum bulbs. Right now I have 2 full spectrums and 3 actinics over the top of my 75 gal. (550 watts)
I think it gives the tank a warmer feeling than the 50/50's.

So here is the question,

My LFS has a tank he keeps SPS frags in as well as softies and clams. The tank is a 150 (I think) and it has all VHO over the top of it and it looks GREAT. But, it looks clearer than my tank and it has nothing to do with the water clarity. He keeps half 50/50 and half blue actinics over it and NO FULL SPECTRUM.
All of the colors are so vivid in his tank, mine are more natural looking.
I know this is more pleasing to some people, but I like the looks of his tank.

I have an Icecap 660 that is only driving 3 bulbs right now. The other ballast is a 430, driving two.
Does anyone see any advantage to the full spectrums over the 50/50's?

I want to add a 4th bulb to the 660, but can't decide if I want the 50/50 or the full spectrum??? I guess it all boils down to the question, "will my animals be happier with full spectrum or White actinic?
Does anyone else have an opinion?

 

[SPC]

Dewman, the full spectrum "Aqua Sun" has more par and therefore more usable light for your corals. The problem I find with them is that they appear too yellow for my taste.
This is what I run over my 180:
4 - 50/50
2- Aqua Sun

I have tried different combinations and this is just my latest. If I could squeeze two more bulbs in there I think I would go with actinic.
Steve

 

[Dewman]

Thanks Steve, I was sort of hoping someone would tell me it was ok to use the 50/50's. Mine is a bit more yellow than I like, but having so many actinics over the top sort of balances things out.
I have the aqua suns in between the blue actinics. There are not two of the same type together. if I don't like the look of the white actinic in the front, can always rearrange the order of everything... again..

 

[reefland]

50/50 bulbs always had a pink look to them to me. Never liked it.

Your LFS's 150 gallon tank, is that a long term display tank or a for sale tank? I'm wondering if the colors you see at his store are colors of corals that have not been under his lighting very long.

 

[Dewman]

All the animals in the tank are for sale of course, but most of the large Acro 's (purple tipped, green and purple)and Clams (crocea including) have been there for as long as I can remember. He has a huge patch of pompon xenia that constantly grows and the colts and hammers are always adding and expanding. Most of the stuff that sells is small and moves quickly.
He has a 500 gallon with MH Pendants over it and doesn't hardly keep anything in it.

 

[TommyBoy]

Jsut wanted to listen in also. I currently in process of setting up a 110RR 5FT. long reef that my plan is to use vho due to oceanic's canopy not tall enough for other options. I am very intereseted in other vho setups to get a concenus of bulb colors reefers are using on vho only light setups.
Im thinking of running lampsnow systems. Planning to get 2 ea. 3 bulb setups and run 3 50/50's and 3 atintic or 2 50/50's, 1aquasun and 3 atintic's. Does anyone believe that a flat type reflector that lampsnow carries with their vho systems would be worth the extra 50 bones to use
vs. no reflector and paint inside canopy white using the uri's internal bublb reflector? Just wondering how benificial the reflector would have on vho uri bubls that already have reflectors inside bulb.

 

[Syris]

Dewman,

I had a similar problem. I have a 75g that had 2-URI 50/50 and 1-URI Actinic. My corals seem to thrive but the colors just weren't as impressive as i've seen elsewhere of the same corals.
So I added another actinic and I gotta say the colors are much more vibrant now. It did take my eyes a few days to adjust though, felt it was too blue. But now i don't even notice much blue, I just see all the cool colors now.

Tommyboy,

IMO if you want to clean that reflector daily sure go for it, otherwise the salt creep on it will dull its reflective use. Plus you said it you're self the URIs have an internal reflector already.
Personally I used white marine paint on the inside with a polyurathane coat. I've read that white is comparitively close, reflective wise, to polished metal.

 

[SPC]

Posted by Tommy:

Does anyone believe that a flat type reflector that lampsnow carries with their vho systems would be worth the extra 50 bones to use
vs. no reflector and paint inside canopy white using the uri's internal bublb reflector? Just wondering how benificial the reflector would have on vho uri bubls that already have reflectors inside bulb.

I ran mine without a reflector for about 8 months. When I added the mylar inside the hood it made a quite a difference in the brightness. I think the reflector is worth it.
Steve

 

[Paul A. Ifkovits]

I recently switced to the aquasuns and must say my corals are much happier for it. The sps almost glows now and have colored up significantly. As I have said in other posts, it is as if a shadow has been lifted off the tank.

Here is a picture after the aquasuns were added. I will try to post a before picture soon.

http://www.palmettoreefs.com/gallery/paul/Paul.htm
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[sdgtivr6]

I have noticed that some VHO tanks are very pink. Which bulb is causing this. I have heard that it is the 50/50??

 

[reefland]

Yeah, 50/50 have a pinkish shade to them.

 

[Anonymous]

Also note that a pinkish hue can come from the camera.
You can really see it in Nikon pictures where actinics are used and a blue fish is in the shot. My blue damsel gets a pink top half in my photos.
So any color evaluation in photos will not be exactly what your eye sees. Have to keep that in the back of your mind.
I'm not doubting people's impression of which bulbs they like and dislike, I'm just offering a caveat for evaluating colors in .jpgs.

 

[Dewman]

I've noticed that all the pics I have taken of my tank do not come out true. They are all on the Blue side.
Look at my avater. That is my clarkii and my condy anemone. The pic is so blue-purple you cannot even see what is behind the clown. Too bad...

I think I will have to start taking pics with a regular camera and scan in the pics.

 

[reefland]

When I used to use only 50/50 bulbs many years ago the tank looked so pink it was gross. Switched out to a 50/50 mix of blue vs white bulbs and it was totally different color - not at all pink.

 

[Anonymous]

I use 2x 50/50 and 2x actinics. It is a little blue, however, the corals really flouresce. When I change the bulbs in September I am going to use 2x actinics, 1x aquasun, 1x 50/50.