sps actinic supplement. vho or t5?

[AcroButcher]

howdy all,
i was wondering what your opinions are on actinic supplements? i have a 72" tank that is lit with 3 x 250w reeflux 12ks in lumenbrights and need some actinics. my thoughts so far are 2 x 72" vho super actinic. 4 x 36" vho super actinics or 2 x 60" actinic t5. i cant find a place to ship the 72" lamps for a reasonable price. also what do you think about vho vs t5 for actinic?

thanks

 

[werdlone]

I use 2 60" VHO's on my 72" tank. gives a little room on the ends to change bulbs. I just switched from 2 super actinic VHOs to 1 super actinic/ 1 454 bulb...wow! the colors are awesome!! Thats my vote.

 

[AcroButcher]

do you feel the vho super actinics give off better florescence then t5 actinic?

 

[broke1]

T5 actinics aren't even in the same class with VHOs.

 

[Reefer08]

T5 actinics are pretty weak thats why most go for the VHO actinics. Is electricity a major concern for you? If so then stick with T5's, if not then go for the VHO

 

[Tater11]

i just swithed from 4-39watt t5 actinics to 2-160watt super actinic vho.
vho hands down better actinic imo..

 

[Paulca916]

I find that when running 10 k or 12 K MH bulb's you have to run VHO's.
I've alway's liked VHO's over T-5's

 

[AcroButcher]

so in my case would you use 60" vho super actinics or would you use 1 super actinic 1 454. also does anyone know if the 72" lamps are actually 72" or like t5 they would be roughly 70"??

 

[jubjub]

vho's insanely better for antinic...doesnt even come close imo....although vho's are so power hungry vs the t5....

 

[werdlone]

I have always run 2 VHO actinics and like the VHO/454 better now. The classic is the actinics...can't go wrong either way, just go with vho.

 

[nefron]

I run 2 72" VHO super actinics, hands down better than any t5 for color. The bulbs are 72" long I believe. They are a tight fit in my canopy which is 74" long...the end caps take up a bit of room too. I guess I have never actually put a tap measure on them. Go with the VHO you won't be let down. Great color, but like others have said the use a bit of juice. Mine are 160watt each.

 

[Froggy]

T5 Actinics are not the same as VHO...that is true. T5 actinics do not perform well and do not do much for the coral. I personally love to use ATI blue plus T5's to supplement my 15 K Iwasaki halides. Great par out of the blue plus bulb although they are blue and not a true 420 NM actinic. The blue plus does a great job of bringing out the blue pigment in capable corals.

I presonally am a fan of how the combination looks to my eye.

 

[Froggy]

T5 Actinics are not the same as VHO...that is true. T5 actinics do not perform well and do not do much for the coral. I personally love to use ATI blue plus T5's to supplement my 15 K Iwasaki halides. Great par out of the blue plus bulb although they are blue and not a true 420 NM actinic. The blue plus does a great job of bringing out the blue pigment in capable corals.

I presonally am a fan of how the combination looks to my eye.

 

[BradR]

The thing about VHO actinics is supposedly how much weaker they are in PAR compared to T5 Blue+ bulbs.

 

[partsguy247]

+1 for the VHO.

 

[therman]

VHO is better than t5, but royal blue Cree LEDs are better than both, and a fraction of the wattage (plus you never have to replace the bulbs). I'd spring for LED supplementation if I were you.
-Tim

 

[roktsintst]

I also prefer the Actinc VHO over T5's!

 

[CleveYank]

For the white and blue bulbs that are bright the T5's are the way to go.
For actinic suppliments the VHO's if they will fit are the only way to go of the two.
Led's??? Have no clue and will not be converting to those until my VHO stuff takes a dive.

 

[SaraB]

VHO's here too for actinic supplementation. Tried T-5's and went back to VHO's.