1 VHO or 2 T5's?

[t4zalews]

I have a 65g and was running 2x39w T5's for some supplement lighting for dawn/dusk. My ballast has gone out on me and I'm looking to replace it. Got me thinking. Would 1 36" VHO provide better light than 2 T5's? I'd run the VHO in the front. Let me know what you think.

BTW..I was just looking online, does it seem like its really hard to find an icecap ballast right now? I thought these were the bee's knee's in the fluorescent world

 

[rtparty]

I have a 65g and was running 2x39w T5's for some supplement lighting for dawn/dusk. My ballast has gone out on me and I'm looking to replace it. Got me thinking. Would 1 36" VHO provide better light than 2 T5's? I'd run the VHO in the front. Let me know what you think.

BTW..I was just looking online, does it seem like its really hard to find an icecap ballast right now? I thought these were the bee's knee's in the fluorescent world

2 T5's will produce more light than a VHO.

IceCap is out of business these days. I think CoralVue has taken over some of their stuff though.

I would just get another spec t5 ballast and make sure you are cooling the bulbs and ballast.

 

[t4zalews]

I'm not so worried about lighting, I have 2x250 halides on the tank as well. I just want as much pop as I can with the actinics.

Would a VHO give better pop than 2 T5's

 

[rtparty]

I'm not so worried about lighting, I have 2x250 halides on the tank as well. I just want as much pop as I can with the actinics.

Would a VHO give better pop than 2 T5's

While VHO Actinic provides good pop, I doubt you will get good coverage under just one bulb. It may cover the front of the tank pretty well but you probably won't get any light in the back of the tank.

JMO

 

[Zebodog]

I've never used VHO - many swear by them as the ultimate in actinic supplementation.

I have a 65gal as well with 2X250W and 4X39W T5. The T5's will open up more options in bulb choice and colours. I replaced one of my actinics with a Purple Plus and noticed a lot more "pop" from my reds and pinks than before.

Go with T5's - far more customization possibilities than VHO.

 

[t4zalews]

I've dabbled in the T5 world. I really just prefer the blue light provided by either the giesemann actinic+ or the ATI blue plus. I've had pure actinic lights before and the purple color really turns me off.

I would have liked to go with 4 T5's, but I had limited room in my canopy with the 2 lumenmax II reflectors. I used to run a outer orbit unit with 2x150w & 4 T5's and I really liked the colors I got.