T-5's or VHO's

[annewayne]

I'm tired of these junk NO flure. bulbs, I was intially gonna get VHO's for additional lighting with my 3- 175 mh 20,000k bulb,
but now after researching on RC, I was wondering if i should get T5? If so how many would i get ? the tank is a 125 RR -6 foot long with a custom( ghetto) canopy on top.

 

[kronan]

I would go with VHO.. preferably URI bulbs, I have been using them for over 15 yrs .Great Bulbs! Internal reflector ,good life, Great color, superb when used with Ice cap ballasts. They would get my vote.

 

[annewayne]

I http://www.hellolights.com/2laaroasbaki.html
just seen these ballasts, would these be fine except 36''

 

[DrBDC]

For actinic supplementation VHO is all alone. I tried T5HO's and they stink for actinic.

 

[annewayne]

Well there is where my problem lies, my MH'S are 20,000k,next time (8months) from now i will buy 10,000k mhbulbs, but for now i was thinking of just buying 10,000 k vho bulbs. any thoughts..

 

[GSMguy]

just wait the vho actinics are sick otherwise your going to have a weird photoperiod with a bright white in the morning and blue day the opposite of what is natural

 

[DrBDC]

Maybe try one actinic white and one actinic blue for now.

 

[annewayne]

The problem is with waiting is my junk NO flur. just went out so all im running with is 3 175-20,000k mhs, and i hate it

 

[pjf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8921224#post8921224 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by annewayne
The problem is with waiting is my junk NO flur. just went out so all im running with is 3 175-20,000k mhs, and i hate it

You haven't stated whether the ballasts or the lamps are the problem with your NO fluorescent fixture. If the lamps are the problem, you can replace them with T6 lamps. T6 lamps are the equivalent of a T5 with NO pins. They will fit in a normal output socket. Its light can be better reflected because of its small diameter. T6 lamps are still new but if they are like T5 lamps, then they will be more efficient and last longer. Current T5 lamps produce 90-100 lumens per watt and their small diameters give them an edge with reflectors.

I can find very little information about VHO efficiency. PC vendors claim that PC lamps are more efficient that VHO lamps. If so, then VHO efficiency is less than the ~60 lumens per watt of pin-based PC lamps. The large diameters of VHO lamps make them hard to design reflectors for so internal reflectors are often built into them.

 

[Ti]

Stik to VHO actinics to pop the colors

 

[JC VT]

If you are looking to supplement lower K (6500-10k) to go along with your 20k, I would go T-5, but for actinic I would say VHO all the way.

 

[annewayne]

As far as the prob. with NO's is i just threw them in there with my personal HOME DEPOT retrofit makings . and ive been looking to replace them with some a little higher end.

 

[annewayne]

Sounds like alot people like vho for act. that is probally what i will do.
Did any of you VHOer's out there look at my link with the ballast ,would this work with 2-95 watt 36''