how many t-5?

[caseyjaydarling]

right now i have a 56g column tank which has a center brace. i have a 250w pendant and 2x75w vho actinics. since i have the center brace, i have the pendant hanging over one half of the tank. my question is....if i replaced the mh with t-5 would i need 2 or 4 bulbs to have similar output? i was thinking this might be something to try so that i have equal light over the whole tank, not just one half.....

any thoughts?

casey

 

[luke33]

Is this a 48" tank and how deep is it...18", if so you'd be good with the 4-6bulb t5 fixture.

 

[caseyjaydarling]

the dimensions of my tank are 30L x 18W x 24H. I would probably keep my vho for actinics....unless the t-5 actinics are just as good as the uri which i have right now.

 

[caseyjaydarling]

bump

 

[luke33]

Casey for that length of tank, im not sure it t5's are going to work well for you. You may want to opt on a second MH. I know you dind't want to hear that. But with your vho's it would look great.

 

[caseyjaydarling]

so i would need more than 2 t-5s to replace my mh? i just thought that switching to t-5 would be more cost efficient in the future.

 

[AIMFish]

The only size t5HO bulb that wouldn't hang over would be a 24" and they are only 24w. I only use 48"/54w bulbs but If I had to guess it would probably take at least 4 probably more 24w bulbs to make up for one 250w mh. Not what you wanted, but another MH would have you ready if you ever went up to a 4ft tank.

 

[caseyjaydarling]

good point. i'm starting to think that it wouldn't be a better deal right now. maybe have to save t-5's for a future tank?!

 

[Icefire]

4x24w or maybe 6x if you toss the VHO.

Uri (uvl now) make good T5HO actinic.

What ballast you have for your VHO?