t-12 vho setup

[gotasplinter]

I was recently given a 75 gal tank and hood. The hood has T-12's VHO. Just wondering if anyone was using a setup like this, or are they obsolite. If so Id be better off doing the t-5 setup in the hood with my current 75 gal. Dont hear to much about them is the reason i ask.


I am probably gonna sell the 75 have no room for 2- 75 gal tanks.

 

[cdangel0]

Talk to KaptKen...he is a huge VHO fan.

 

[Tank Predator]

thats what i have running on my 90

 

[gotasplinter]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12084238#post12084238 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tank Predator
thats what i have running on my 90

would you recomend using the T-12 setup with new bulbs or get a new sutup all together with t-5s? Im currently using power compacts and they are ok but everones talking about the new and improved. So not sure what way im going to go yet. metal halide is a little to rich for my blood. Thanks again guys
Lee

 

[Tank Predator]

well as of now i am running 4 of them an i gotta say much better then compact i went an picked up another 2 just have not put them up yet

 

[kaptken]

That's what I was thinking. VHO's are pretty good. 4 is minamal. you can grow a lot under them, as i do. but 6 would be better. at 6 you are talking 660 watts and 6 lamps, not considering ballasts. Vho lamps do need replacing more frequently, like 6-9 months. a pair of 250w MH HQI's and a pair of 54 w. T5 actinincs might be much better for about the same watts or a little less.and run longer on bulbs. 3 ballasts, 2 HQI reflectors, anda pair of T5 endcaps and reflectors. or 12 T5s with probably a lot more light. the choice is almost bog-gol-ling!

You get to decide, on number and watts and types of bulbs, with respective lumen output per watts of power consumed, number and cost of ballasts, endcaps, reflectors, bulbs..... yup, lots to consider.

I just try to get the most lumens of the best spectrum into the tank for the least equipment cost and power consumption.
Designing an effective system is a big challenge. and reward.

there is no easy answer. it all depends on things like your tank size and depth, corals and such.

 

[nanoreef16g]

Hey kaptken, I am setting up a 150 extra tall. The tank is 30 inches tall. I was looking at a 2 x 250 watt HQI fixture that has 4 54 watt T5's built in also. My plan is from top to bottom: SPS, LPS, zoanthids and then rics and mushrooms. The fixture seems to best match what I'm trying to do with my set-up and I even may be able to get two more T5 bulbs in the front and two more in the back of the fixture if it isn't bright enough. I think it will be adequate. What do you think?

 

[kaptken]

sounds like it should do. the 250s should reach the bottom well enough for the soft stuff down there and be bright enough for the top half. and the T5s can round out the color and lumens by your choice of bulbs.
sounds great.