RBTA Tank - 40L - VHO or T5?

[tanglovers]

Hi All,

I am considering setting up a tank for a RBTA. The tank would be a 40L (48x12x16H). I am looking for opinions on which lighting would be better. VHO or T5. Reguardless I would be looking to run four 4' bulbs on an IceCap 660.

I am considering VHO because I have all the endcap etc already. T5 because of the lower watts/brighter look.

Any suggestions? The tank would be set up with the rose and a pair of clowns being the only inhabitants.

Was planning on T5 until I wnet through the TOTM archieve and read Anemone's tank right up and read VHO...then got to thinking about it.

Thanks!

 

[Massengill]

You can get a real nice Nova T-5 from Current USA at Marine and Reef.

http://www.marineandreef.com/Nova_Extreme_T5_Aquarium_Lighting_Current_USA_p/rcu01122.htm

 

[tanglovers]

Well I appreciate the info. I already have the ballast (Icecap 660) and endcaps (I actually have VHO and T5 endcaps). If I go the T5 route I will need to get reflectors and bulbs, if I go the VHO route just bulbs.

The plus' and minus' I see are:

VHO Higher wattage use

T5 brighter (higher PAR - maybe?)

T5 I have had issues with bulbs overheating and burning out prematurely never had this issue with VHO

Higher evaporation with T5 - associated with the more fans I would run to keep the bulbs cool.


But the biggest question is what would the anemone like the best or do the best under? All other things I can deal with - higher costs etc.

 

[drtrash]

Hate to burst the bubble but you need to run some cooling with VHO anyway. Queston whether you can go HO instead of VHO is the issue.

 

[garygb]

From what I understand, T-5 with individual reflectors gives you deeper water penetration than vho. Your tank isn't especially deep (16 inches), so either vho or T-5 should be okay--actually will certainly be fine with a RBTA. If you were going to keep higher light demanding species or soft coral, you would maybe lean toward the T-5. If you do go the T-5 route, I would suggest the individual reflectors though, so you will be getting the maximum effect of the bulbs.