Dumb question, who knows the REAL answer?
- Thread starter mie
- Start date
jimvette1
Member
Originally Posted by mie
http:///forum/post/2690860
Thanks for the first answer, now who knows about the t-5 question
The downside of using VHO bulbs is they that need to be replaced more often. Albert Thiel states in his Marine Fish and Invert Reef Aquarium book, Lighting The Reef Tank Chapter, "using high output (HO) bulbs is certainly better because you will typically gain 25% to sometimes 50% more light. Unfortunately, the VHO bulbs (very high output) change their spectrum too rapidly, although they can be used for yet an additional gain in intensity. You must, however, replace them frequently to compensate for the spectrum loss, usually every 4 to 5 months."
http:///forum/post/2690860
Thanks for the first answer, now who knows about the t-5 question
The downside of using VHO bulbs is they that need to be replaced more often. Albert Thiel states in his Marine Fish and Invert Reef Aquarium book, Lighting The Reef Tank Chapter, "using high output (HO) bulbs is certainly better because you will typically gain 25% to sometimes 50% more light. Unfortunately, the VHO bulbs (very high output) change their spectrum too rapidly, although they can be used for yet an additional gain in intensity. You must, however, replace them frequently to compensate for the spectrum loss, usually every 4 to 5 months."
flricordia
Active Member
I don't really know about the intensity of T5 compared to VHO, but I do know that a 2' T5 sitting on a mirror reflector is difficult to look at while a 2' VHO isn't anywhere near as bright though it is rated at 75wts compared to the T5's 24wts.
mie
Active Member
Originally Posted by Flricordia
http:///forum/post/2690890
I don't really know about the intensity of T5 compared to VHO, but I do know that a 2' T5 sitting on a mirror reflector is difficult to look at while a 2' VHO isn't anywhere near as bright though it is rated at 75wts compared to the T5's 24wts.
So would you recomend t-5's or vho's?
http:///forum/post/2690890
I don't really know about the intensity of T5 compared to VHO, but I do know that a 2' T5 sitting on a mirror reflector is difficult to look at while a 2' VHO isn't anywhere near as bright though it is rated at 75wts compared to the T5's 24wts.
So would you recomend t-5's or vho's?
luca brasi
Member
Originally Posted by mie
http:///forum/post/2691020
So would you recomend t-5's or vho's?
As someone who has vhos, go with T5's unless you can afford to replace your bulbs every six months. I love the colors of my vho's, but will be switching to T5's in the future. The vho's are getting harder to find too.
http:///forum/post/2691020
So would you recomend t-5's or vho's?
As someone who has vhos, go with T5's unless you can afford to replace your bulbs every six months. I love the colors of my vho's, but will be switching to T5's in the future. The vho's are getting harder to find too.
groupergenius
Active Member
Mie, depends on what your doing. If you want brighter white light with good par value and coral growth...I would have to say T5. If you want good, deep, color popping actinic, VHO. Just my opinion. Having actinics with both, the vho's win hands down. And having seen what the same size T5 do over the VHO on the white side...night and day.
I have never personally heard of anyone doing it, but depending on tank/bulb size. You should be able to use both on the same ballast, I'm thinking.
Say a 48" tank with 2-T5 10K and 2-VHO Super Actinics, or 3-T5 and 1-VHO on a single Icecap 660 ballast. But with the 660, they all come on at the same time. That can be separated by using 2 ballasts. Either overdrive with 2 660 or save about $40 by buying 2 430's.
Let me reiterate. I am not sure if both types of bulbs can be run by the same ballast at the same time. But I don't see why it couldn't.
I have never personally heard of anyone doing it, but depending on tank/bulb size. You should be able to use both on the same ballast, I'm thinking.
Say a 48" tank with 2-T5 10K and 2-VHO Super Actinics, or 3-T5 and 1-VHO on a single Icecap 660 ballast. But with the 660, they all come on at the same time. That can be separated by using 2 ballasts. Either overdrive with 2 660 or save about $40 by buying 2 430's.
Let me reiterate. I am not sure if both types of bulbs can be run by the same ballast at the same time. But I don't see why it couldn't.
mie
Active Member
Originally Posted by reefraff
http:///forum/post/2691256
You CAN run VHO and T5 on the same Ice Cap ballast. I'd personally do one VHO actinic to 3 T5's.
This is for my sons new 55, I am leaning more torwards the 1 vho and 3 t-5's How much should he expect to spend? Before i was thinking around $150.
http:///forum/post/2691256
You CAN run VHO and T5 on the same Ice Cap ballast. I'd personally do one VHO actinic to 3 T5's.
This is for my sons new 55, I am leaning more torwards the 1 vho and 3 t-5's How much should he expect to spend? Before i was thinking around $150.
groupergenius
Active Member
Originally Posted by mie
http:///forum/post/2691451
This is for my sons new 55, I am leaning more torwards the 1 vho and 3 t-5's How much should he expect to spend? Before i was thinking around $150.
Just going by prices at my LFS...
Icecap 660 ballast-$130
4 sets of encaps and standoffs-$40
Bulbs are about $25 each-$100
So probably closer to $300 new.
Search the classifieds for used stuff. But I would go with new bulbs.
http:///forum/post/2691451
This is for my sons new 55, I am leaning more torwards the 1 vho and 3 t-5's How much should he expect to spend? Before i was thinking around $150.
Just going by prices at my LFS...
Icecap 660 ballast-$130
4 sets of encaps and standoffs-$40
Bulbs are about $25 each-$100
So probably closer to $300 new.
Search the classifieds for used stuff. But I would go with new bulbs.
angler man
Member
Originally Posted by JimVette1
http:///forum/post/2690884
The downside of using VHO bulbs is they that need to be replaced more often. Albert Thiel states in his Marine Fish and Invert Reef Aquarium book, Lighting The Reef Tank Chapter, "using high output (HO) bulbs is certainly better because you will typically gain 25% to sometimes 50% more light. Unfortunately, the VHO bulbs (very high output) change their spectrum too rapidly, although they can be used for yet an additional gain in intensity. You must, however, replace them frequently to compensate for the spectrum loss, usually every 4 to 5 months."
What does he state about the spectrum loss with T5's? How long do those bulbs last before replacement is needed?
http:///forum/post/2690884
The downside of using VHO bulbs is they that need to be replaced more often. Albert Thiel states in his Marine Fish and Invert Reef Aquarium book, Lighting The Reef Tank Chapter, "using high output (HO) bulbs is certainly better because you will typically gain 25% to sometimes 50% more light. Unfortunately, the VHO bulbs (very high output) change their spectrum too rapidly, although they can be used for yet an additional gain in intensity. You must, however, replace them frequently to compensate for the spectrum loss, usually every 4 to 5 months."
What does he state about the spectrum loss with T5's? How long do those bulbs last before replacement is needed?