Advice on Lighting//T5-VHO Supplements

[pk1]

Looking for some advice on my lighting, as I seem to never be happy with what I have! Currently running 3 MH's over my 180, no problem there, those are staying. The supplemental lighting is where I want to change, I have 4x96w 36inch PC's that I am not happy with. I have read a lot about PC bulbs degrading faster over time, along with VHO. T5's I hear run longer, better? Too much muck and misinformation out there for me to really make up my mind. So what I would like is 3-4 bulb system. 60 inches, highest PAR available and long life(not too much to ask for huh!?) Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks...

Patrick

 

[md fishes]

I have seen what T5's had done for Patricks tank. When I go back to a convention tank I am going with t5's.

 

[~ChrisB~]

If you are just going to run Actinic's go with the VHO.

Anything other than that I'd go with T5's.

Reason being is that the Actinic T5's aren't true. The URI's give you that pop that most of us expect from Actinic supplementation.

Chris

 

[pk1]

Thanks Chris, that's what I was looking for. So I am guessing these bulbs for the atinic?
URI 72in - 160 watt Actinic Blue - VHO

I'd like to run 2 atinic's and 1 daylight bulb, I don't see putting just 1 T5 bulb up for that though?? Unless I can run the 2 VHO's and the T5 on the same ballast?

 

[ecojoe]

If you can wait a little while you could go with URI T5 actinics. Icecap is testing them right now, they are supposed to become available sometime in March I believe. Then you would have the best of both worlds, the true actinic URI (they changed their name to UV Lighting now) is known for and the small T5 bulb size.

 

[cw150]

running the t5 icecaps now for supplemental actinics with 3 MHs for primary and they're awesome. Very bright for 2 54watt bulbs.

 

[NewSchool04]

The T5 Blue + bulbs have a very good PAR rating and are very blue. I use them for my dawn dusk but I wouldn't compare them to the SuperActinic VHO's. I'm not sure what their PAR is, probably not much, but they do make the corals pop.

Patrick

 

[pk1]

Thanks for the input guys. I think I'll run the PC's until the bulbs are ready for replacement and go with the URI T5 atinics...hopefully by then there will be a few reviews on them. Thanks!

Patrick Kelly