PC or VHO?

[Fish_Freek]

I beleive so. A4 ballasts are actually made by ice cap.

 

[Insane Reefer]

Thanks again for the input - very appreciated!
Will post a new thread with my next set of questions, lol.

Thanks!!!

 

[gh0st]

I don't know where the 4-5 month replacement time for VHO's came from, but I've found they last much longer and preserve the color spectrum MUCH longer than PC's.

PC's should be replaced every 6-8 months for optimum preformance. After 3-6 months they lose alot of spectrum and output, and end up fer "redish".

VHO's have a good useable lifespan of about 10-14 months minimum depending on the brand, and the bulbs are ussually cheaper than PC's as well.

Go for the VHO's.

They last longer, look better, are more energy effecient, and give off less heat than PCs.

I'm still waiting to get my hands on some T-5's to compare with the VHO's.

 

[jaymz101]

T5's will last a while (up to 18-24mos I believe) but start losing spectrum aorund 12 for the actinics (please correct me if Im wrong) Ive been researching the same thing and my mind is starting to smoke (and drink). They also say that if youre using T5's on an ice cap ballast they are "overdriven" = more light output b/c higher wattage so they need to be replaced a little sooner (12-18mos I think)

BTW I have a 36x18x18 tank and Im going with the 4x39w Tek T5 light at reefgeek.com ( as soon as I get the cabbage that is)

 

[Insane Reefer]

Ok - came across something else...
URI makes a 50/50 bulb that doesn't have an internal reflector, and these are like $17 as opposed to the interally reflected one's at $22.
If you have a decent reflector, does an internal reflector make that much difference?

Just wondering...
Thanks!

 

[fishbaiter]

Found this on reeflighting.com
Directly quoted from them. Hope it helps..

As you probably have already found out when it comes to aquarium lighting you have a huge amount of choices and just as large difference in pricing. The most inexpensive type of lighting one can purchase is fluorescent lighting. In this family you have Power Compact lighting, which is two high output bulbs fused together at the tip either straight pinned (German) or square pinned (Japanese). These are our least favorite bulbs as they typically break at the point where the two bulbs are joined and they seem to loose their color faster than any other fluorescent bulb. VHO Lighting seems to have the highest approval rating from consumers. These bulbs are larger in diameter and produce more wattage from the bulb, hence a brighter light. VHO lighting is a great option for those soft coral aquariums. Last but not the least is T5 lighting. T5 Lighting is new in America but gaining popularity very quickly. T5 lighting typically lower in wattage for the same length bulb as a VHO but they burn as bright as a VHO. This combination gives you a very bright light with lower energy costs. T5 Bulbs are also supposed to last about 1.5 times a standard VHO bulb.

 

[pufferpoison]

if t5's have the single perabelic reflector per bulb, their PAR is rating up ther with MH's. I have a tek light t5ho 6x54W on my 90G and it's super, super bright, the sand almost glows white at the bottom. I've had problems keeping shrooms under the light, they all retracted and looked bad, i moved them to my new 46G bowfront with NO florescents and after 2 days these shrooms are huge, meaning the t5's were way overkill for them. MY LFS has a current fixture with 2 x96 watt PC's over their 46G bowfront. Before i bought my tek light, i thought the tank looked nice and bright, after hooking up my t5's their tank looks sad. I've also seen a VHO tank that a guy was bragging about and it had tons more wattage than my t5's and he came and saw my lights and was totally embarrassed. something like the nova extreme t5 setup uses a single reflector for all the bulbs, which is no good with t5's, you MUST use the Single parabelic reflector per bulb for them to "shine on". You could set up a t5 retro kit for little money (workhorse or triad, which tek lights use, i believe for like $40 bucks and get the bulbs, reflectors, wiring kit, end caps, etc and it would save you a bunch. T5's are really the bomb. if you haven't experienced them, it's incredible.

 

[fishbaiter]

Yeah, I'm with you on that puffer!

 

[Insane Reefer]

I found an awesome deal on a 50Tall 36x18x17, and my husband is a size queen - we must have this tank, lol.

You guys seems to really be hot for the t5's, and I've been reading around...

IF we decided on t5's, how many 39w bulbs would you put over it? For that matter, how many 95w VHO would you put on this tank?

Thanks!!!

 

[Insane Reefer]

^bump

I found an awesome deal on a 50Tall 36x18x17, and my husband is a size queen - we must have this tank, lol.

You guys seems to really be hot for the t5's, and I've been reading around...

IF we decided on t5's, how many 39w bulbs would you put over it? For that matter, how many 95w VHO would you put on this tank?

Thanks!!!

 

[sjm817]

I think 4 39W T5 bulbs would be fine for that height assuming you will have quality reflectors.

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7421896#post7421896 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
Assuming a 36" tank 18" deep, a 4 x 39W T5 setup would allow you to keep pretty much anything.

I can do a search first thing in the morning east coast time.

heck, i can keep all the light hungry corals with 3x39 of t5ho on my 35g with very similar dimensions as that tank.

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7447271#post7447271 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishbaiter
Found this on reeflighting.com
Directly quoted from them. Hope it helps..

As you probably have already found out when it comes to aquarium lighting you have a huge amount of choices and just as large difference in pricing. The most inexpensive type of lighting one can purchase is fluorescent lighting. In this family you have Power Compact lighting, which is two high output bulbs fused together at the tip either straight pinned (German) or square pinned (Japanese). These are our least favorite bulbs as they typically break at the point where the two bulbs are joined and they seem to loose their color faster than any other fluorescent bulb. VHO Lighting seems to have the highest approval rating from consumers. These bulbs are larger in diameter and produce more wattage from the bulb, hence a brighter light. VHO lighting is a great option for those soft coral aquariums. Last but not the least is T5 lighting. T5 Lighting is new in America but gaining popularity very quickly. T5 lighting typically lower in wattage for the same length bulb as a VHO but they burn as bright as a VHO. This combination gives you a very bright light with lower energy costs. T5 Bulbs are also supposed to last about 1.5 times a standard VHO bulb.

its mostly right, but wrong in that t5ho with proper reflecotrs is brighter than vho

 

[fishbaiter]

Well I'm not an expert on lighting so I can't say one way or another. You can read the rest of it at:

http://www.reeftanklighting.com/reef_aquarium_lighting_101.htm

I am sure that there are those that have the scientific data on it but I for have no clue, it's just another resource of information...