Question about T5 bulbs

[SFMMcoasters]

On Drs.FandS there are new VHO T5 bulbs, thats with a 'V'. It says they are 85 watts for the 48 inch bulbs.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=16769&N=2004+113907

The thing is- It says the bulbs are compatable with the Nova Extreme fixture, this fixture seems like it only takes 4 x 54w. Was this a careless mistake by the website, or can my fixture really handle the 85 watt bulbs?

 

[hahnmeister]

looks like a good match for Icecap 660 ballasts...

 

[Icefire]

UVL lamp are also VHO, their 4feet 54w are rated 80w and their 39w-> 60w

 

[SFMMcoasters]

So is the bulb okay to put in the Nova Extreme or not?

 

[ccorpse27]

"Use these T-5 VHO Tubes as replacement tubes for the Nova Extreme, Marineland T5-48 fixture, IceCap T-5 Reflectors, or any appropriate T-5 fluorescent light fixture. Use T-5 tubes with T-5 compatible light fixtures with high-powered electronic ballasts to help increase efficiency and tube life."

 

[sj miller guy]

It's funny I came across this thread seeing as I just got off the phone with Dr. F&S tech support about this exact question.

Their response was "With the 48" Nova fixture you can jump up about 5 watts safely. We do not recomment going with the VHO bulb of 80+ watts. If you do it could result in the bulb not working, or the fixture having an adverse reaction i.e. fire or extreme heat."

I did point out that under the Bulb it lists it as a direct replacement for that fixture and that under the fixture it does not list any VHO bulbs as a direct replacement.

Looks like I will be sticking with the HO 54 watt bulbs.