T5's or VHO

[bunzaroo]

I want to upgrade my PC lighting on my 72 gallon bowfront. Due to the setup of the canopy I could only put 4 T5's or VHO's retrofit , I would like to stay away from MH's due to heat not enough clearance only about 7 inches on the canopy to the water. What lighting technoclo.gy would be better for growing some SPS and clams, thanks

 

[mrbigshot]

t5's by far

 

[bunzaroo]

Out of curiosity, most VHO's are rated at higher wattages than the t5's, Are the t5's more efficient?, please explain to a noob, thanks

 

[sassafrass]

T-5's are more effecient create less heat and produce more light all while lasting about 3 x longer.

 

[phenom5]

The reason T5's are more effective is because of their small size, and the individual parabolic reflectors. Since T5's are so skinny, a properly shaped individual reflector can reflect almost all of the light back to the tank. In theory, you could do the same thing with VHO's, but because of the size of the tubes, the reflectors would have to be much larger, which would limit the number of bulbs you could put over the tank.

Hopefully that makes sense. The key is the individual reflectors. If you're going to retro fit the T5's in a canpoy, I'd suggest getting an Icecap SLR retro (reefgeek.com has good prices, and is a great company to deal with). the SLR's are currently considered by many as the best reflector option out right now. I'm not sure how tall your tank is, but 4 bulbs may limit the depth that you can keep SPS & clams.

 

[bunzaroo]

I am thinking about using this kit from IceCap, what do you think?
http://www.icecapinc.com/t5 retro kit 051508 write updoc.pdf

 

[phenom5]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13047857#post13047857 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sassafrass
T-5's are more effecient create less heat and produce more light all while lasting about 3 x longer.

The Myth about MH being hotter than T5's

 

[bunzaroo]

I am thinking about using this kit from IceCap, what do you think?
http://www.icecapinc.com/t5 retro kit 051508 write updoc.pdf

 

[bunzaroo]

My tank is 18 inches deep, I am aware that I would probably be able to keep SPS and clams in the upper levels only. In reagrds to MH lighting my canopy would be a bout 7 inches from the water surface, not sure if this would be an issue?

 

[bunzaroo]

bump

 

[sassafrass]

The reason I stated that T-5's produce less heat is that it takes less wattage of t-5 to cover the same area with sufficient light to grow corals. So they produce less heat by being more efficient .this is my experience

 

[oceanparadise1]

they do produce the same as mh, a watt is a watt BUT since t5s are longer the heat is spread out more thus not effecting the water temp as much


also 5thos all day hands down

 

[odysseysteve]

I suggest you check out the Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment -> The T5 Q&A Thread right here on this forum. There is a master T5 guru called "The Grim Reefer." I followed his instructions to the letter and the results are outstanding! Good luck!

 

[The Saltman]

T-5, last longer and more energy savings

 

[oceanparadise1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13055827#post13055827 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Saltman
T-5, last longer and more energy savings

+1