captain7359
Active member
Yes, to around 100w each.
Debating going to T5s...
- Thread starter dreaminmel
- Start date
Yes, to around 100w each.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
mel- are you currently running only halides?
dreaminmel
New member
Actually yes... was getting an odd electrical smell whenever the daylight VHOs were on so they're off as of late. So just running the two 400w 20k XM bulbs and it actually looks very peaceful. Not too blue and not too bright. I will say that since switching from Spider reflectors to the Lumenarc Minis these bulbs have a very pleasing appearance. With the Spider reflectors they were definately too dim and dark.
dreaminmel
New member
Alright... here's what I've decided at this point. I try to never ever make impulse decisions with equipment in this hobby so will keep the T5 thought in the mix and do some more research on it for now. Something about overdriving bulbs and having to replace them possibly more often than my halides makes me wonder if that'd end up eating any energy bill savings.
In the meantime, now that I don't need to run the highest possible par 20k bulb combo on my ballasts I actually have the option to put actinics back in for the VHOs and try out some different halide bulbs. The actinic VHOs should bring back the flourescent "pop" in the corals that I had when I ran them before. (the lack of this is part of why I was craving T5s) I dont' want to run 10k halides on my tank so will probably take the opportunity to see how bulbs like Reeflux look on my ballasts.
Thanks for the feedback everyone and please by all means know that this info will still be used by me as I continue considering the T5 option going forward. :thumbsup:
In the meantime, now that I don't need to run the highest possible par 20k bulb combo on my ballasts I actually have the option to put actinics back in for the VHOs and try out some different halide bulbs. The actinic VHOs should bring back the flourescent "pop" in the corals that I had when I ran them before. (the lack of this is part of why I was craving T5s) I dont' want to run 10k halides on my tank so will probably take the opportunity to see how bulbs like Reeflux look on my ballasts.
Thanks for the feedback everyone and please by all means know that this info will still be used by me as I continue considering the T5 option going forward. :thumbsup:
Conesus_Kid
Premium Member
Sounds like a good, well-reasoned plan, Mel. :thumbsup:
captain7359
Active member
I got some from reefgeek when they first came out, but didn't use them till I changed my bulb arrangement around a couple months ago. Glad I put them in as things look to have more pop now and I get more florescence from the greens now.
Mel, Even if you did have to swap 3 of the bulbs out at 8-10 months and the 2 actinics at 14-16 months, you'd still be ahead in comparison to the 400's at 10-12 months. Whats your energy payback as well? 8-900 watts for the halides plus 280 for the T12 actinic vs 460ish watts for the T5 might add up quicker than you think and make the change a wash in less than a year.
dreaminmel
New member
Very valid point. Going forward I think I'm going to look at some additional different T5 tanks and see what appeals to me the most. Plus, I have to give my 660 ballast setup a very thorough examination to chase down the electrical smell. If it's not the ballast then sweet, but if it is then I'd be looking at replacing that in the T5 process as well.
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