T5 verse VHO T12

[fisheebill]

Right now I am running 6 48'' VHO and 1 36'' VHO on 2 Icecap 660 ballast and was wondering if it would be the same as running 6 T5's.
I'm looking at the Auqatinics T5 Solar Flare, http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/ca...=1088&osCsid=23468ff776aed2276f0f1203a2bd02bb

Are HO T5's better than T12 VHO's?

 

[pjf]

T5 > VHO

T5 > VHO

54-watt T5 HO lamps generate ~90 lumens per watt (http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/lightingAnswers/lat5/pc1a.asp). Six of them will consume 324 watts and generate 54x90x6 = ~29,000 lumens.

110-watt VHO lamps generate ~50 lumens per watt (http://www.elliptipar.com/vertical/Vertpdf/VertGdLg.pdf). Six of them will consume 660 watts and generate 110x50x6 = ~33,000 lumens.

A major factor is the individual reflectors for the thinner T5 lamps. The T5 reflectors will get more light into your tank than the VHO reflectors.

Save electricity and go with the T5 HO with the brighter reflectors.

 

[BLockamon]

In short, T5 is WAY better than VHO. I just switched from 4x110W VHO to 5x54W T5. The tank is LOTS brighter, and as a bonus, I don't get the eerie blue glow outside the house as much (the light is focused into the tank much better).

FWIW, I think the Aquactinics Solar Flare is WAY overkill for a 90 gal (and about as expensive at two of the regular fixtures). I have the basic 5-bulb fixture over my 90 and think it works great. It should be plenty of light for SPS and clams.

 

[fisheebill]

Thanks a lot, both of you. Great info.
One of the main reasons I like the Aquactinics Solar Flare is because they make a hood with and without the icecap ballasts. I have 2 660's. So the hood would be about $200 less.
I really don't want to buy the wrong fixture.
Would six bulbs really be overkill?

 

[pjf]

Lots of Great Options

Lots of Great Options

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8979827#post8979827 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fisheebill
I really don't want to buy the wrong fixture.
Would six bulbs really be overkill?

If 6 bulbs is overkill, then take some out. You can also mix and match and use actinic bulbs that are dimmer. Best of all, you can use a dawn-to-dusk lighting protocol so the peak lighting intensity will only be at mid-day.

 

[Roland Jacques]

Something to consider IMO is VHO T-6.

same effiency as HO t-5 PAR per Watts

you can use your same t-12 fixture and ballast

if you use them with parbolic reflector you may get 75% - 90% more light than VHO t-12 and HO T-5s.

im trying to save up for a par meter to test them myself. but so far they sound real good to me.

 

[fisheebill]

Thanks everyone. Will check out the t-6. But really might go with the T-5's.