normanviking
New member
Who makes this VHO t5? Where can you find info?
t5s vs. vhos
- Thread starter PotysGSXR
- Start date
djrecklessk
New member
Yes who makes a VHO T5 fixtures? This is definitely new in my book and I'm actually in the lighting biz. The VHO just stands for Very High Output, which primarily pertains to T12 fixtures. T5 HO is already a High Output lamp. I don't believe there is such a thing called T5 VHO. T5 HO is already a high Out Put light and provides plenty of light per watt than its standard T5 lamps. With 54 & 80 Watt lamps they already max out on performance. I would really like to see a VHO T5 fixture.
Also 6' T5 lamps are available, but not offered in the states or for aquarium lighting. I've seen them at tradeshows and have a sample for myself. They are 125 watt per each 6' T5 HO lamps. I personally would not use any T5 HO lamps past 4'. Since the heat generated from 80 watt lamps causes the ballast to work at 90% effciently, which you would really get about 70 watts of light output of them as appose to a 54 watt T5 HO fixture which you will get about 98% of actually watt directed to your lamp. Just putting in my 2 cents. Sorry for the long post.
Also 6' T5 lamps are available, but not offered in the states or for aquarium lighting. I've seen them at tradeshows and have a sample for myself. They are 125 watt per each 6' T5 HO lamps. I personally would not use any T5 HO lamps past 4'. Since the heat generated from 80 watt lamps causes the ballast to work at 90% effciently, which you would really get about 70 watts of light output of them as appose to a 54 watt T5 HO fixture which you will get about 98% of actually watt directed to your lamp. Just putting in my 2 cents. Sorry for the long post.
PotysGSXR
Member
No problem. Long posts are more than welcome. So then if these t5 vhos don't exist, then whats the best option for someone like me who's looking for a 24" retrofit light for my tank? And I'm trying to stay away from MH. Does a t5 VHO 24" exist? If so, to light a 60g tank, would 4 bulbs be too much? What brands are the best for ballast? For lights?
djrecklessk
New member
T5 fixtures will be your next best option to MH. I would definitely go with 6 x 24 watt T5 HO bulbs for a 24" deep tank. I would mix them up with aquablues x 2, GE 6500 x 2, and 10,000K sunlight of your choice. I believe 6 would be ideal, but you could probably get away with 4 x 24 watt. As long as they have their own parabolic reflectors they will help support the maximum amount of light out put you could achieve with these lamps.
Probably the next biggest thing to hit the aquarium market would be LED system running multiple 5 watt LEDs. This probably will happen until another 4-5 years. The advance of LED are that they last 50,000-100,000 hours. So basically you would not need to change them for over 10 years assuming you kept them in good working order. They are also idea because they operate with very low heat. So no more expensive chillers to purchase. Those are just a few of the benefits that I can think of on top of my head.
Back to your question now PotysGSXR. You can get these 2' T5 HO retrofits at the links below.
Although this isn't a retrofit it is the least expensive.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12772&N=2004+113175
They have 2 manufacturers that offer a 2' system
http://reefgeek.com/products/category_indexes/1-15_lighting_icecap_-_t5_retrofits.html
They don't display their 2' T5 retrofits, but you could call them and they will customize it for you.
http://www.aquauniverse.com
Probably the next biggest thing to hit the aquarium market would be LED system running multiple 5 watt LEDs. This probably will happen until another 4-5 years. The advance of LED are that they last 50,000-100,000 hours. So basically you would not need to change them for over 10 years assuming you kept them in good working order. They are also idea because they operate with very low heat. So no more expensive chillers to purchase. Those are just a few of the benefits that I can think of on top of my head.
Back to your question now PotysGSXR. You can get these 2' T5 HO retrofits at the links below.
Although this isn't a retrofit it is the least expensive.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12772&N=2004+113175
They have 2 manufacturers that offer a 2' system
http://reefgeek.com/products/category_indexes/1-15_lighting_icecap_-_t5_retrofits.html
They don't display their 2' T5 retrofits, but you could call them and they will customize it for you.
http://www.aquauniverse.com
djrecklessk
New member
As Maeda mention 10" off the top would be stretching it. I would go with 3"-4" above the height of the aquarium water.
djrecklessk
New member
T5 6' HO Fixture
T5 6' HO Fixture
Just so that you know that 4', 5' 6' & 8' T5 HO exist. The person did nail it on the head with he/she mention that the biggest problem is shipping. Any T5 lamp longer than 5' will have a very high rate of damages. They are a nightmare to ship because of the 5/8" diameter profile.
I've been attending Light Fair for 5 years, which is the biggest show in the US for lighting products and have not come accross a T5 VHO fixture yet. I will be attending the convention show again this year in May at Las Vegas Convention center and keep everyone posted if I can find this mysterious T5 VHO Fixture.
T5 6' HO Fixture
Just so that you know that 4', 5' 6' & 8' T5 HO exist. The person did nail it on the head with he/she mention that the biggest problem is shipping. Any T5 lamp longer than 5' will have a very high rate of damages. They are a nightmare to ship because of the 5/8" diameter profile.
I've been attending Light Fair for 5 years, which is the biggest show in the US for lighting products and have not come accross a T5 VHO fixture yet. I will be attending the convention show again this year in May at Las Vegas Convention center and keep everyone posted if I can find this mysterious T5 VHO Fixture.
djrecklessk
New member
Optimal operating temperture for a T5 HO lamp is actually 92 degrees appose to standard T8 & T12 which are 72 degrees. I don't know exactly how much heat it will produce in your 60 gal tank, but to combat the heat issue I would use 2 3" fans. 1 for inlet and one for exhaust. This will significantly lower your temperture of your tank.
djrecklessk
New member
No PotysGSXR, I'm just referring to T5 HO lamps in general not just pertaining to aquarium lighting. At 92 degrees it will preserve the lamp life and run at it optimal light output. With 6 x 24 watt lamps over your 60 gal tank, I don't think it would produce more than 2 degress difference in your tank. They probably produce the same amount of heat as PC or VHO, but run at less wattage which will save you money on electricity cost.
The other great thing about LEDs is that they are predicting about 105 lumens per watt by the end of the year. That is roughly the equivilant of a T5HO. And incidentally if you are looking to avoid the heat factor even more you can vent the fixture and add uplight for increased light efficacy and improved lamp and ballast life. Just make sure you get something that has some slits directly above the lamp.
cerreta
Premium Member
I do not believe there is a T5 VHO bulb. It may be confused with the T6 , next generation bulbs which is claimed to have RO and VHO bulbs.
There is not a lot of info avaible on the T6 setups, even on RC, but I think I will convert over from my T12 VHO to the T6. The advantages are:
1. No conversion in sockets, they use a G13 bipin (same as T8 and T12)
2. T6 bulbs are available in standard lengths of 24", 36", 48"
3. Uses the same ballast as the T5HO, but I'm checking to see if the IceCap 660 will power these too.
4. The bulb glass is thicker than the T5 and more durable.
5. Nominal heat is less than T5
6. Efficient and more light output than T5 or T8
The only sources of info I have for these are:
1. The new Sprung/Delbeek book, The Reef Aquarium Vol 3, pg 486-489
2. http://www.naturallighting.com/order/store.php?crn=591
Bulbs run about $20 each for the 55watt 48" The confusing part to me is that the website contradicts the book in calling these lamps HO. I'm not sure if these are the so-called VHO or not, but wattage is only rated at 55watts.
Let me know if anyone has additional info on these bulbs, I would like to investigate further.
There is not a lot of info avaible on the T6 setups, even on RC, but I think I will convert over from my T12 VHO to the T6. The advantages are:
1. No conversion in sockets, they use a G13 bipin (same as T8 and T12)
2. T6 bulbs are available in standard lengths of 24", 36", 48"
3. Uses the same ballast as the T5HO, but I'm checking to see if the IceCap 660 will power these too.
4. The bulb glass is thicker than the T5 and more durable.
5. Nominal heat is less than T5
6. Efficient and more light output than T5 or T8
The only sources of info I have for these are:
1. The new Sprung/Delbeek book, The Reef Aquarium Vol 3, pg 486-489
2. http://www.naturallighting.com/order/store.php?crn=591
Bulbs run about $20 each for the 55watt 48" The confusing part to me is that the website contradicts the book in calling these lamps HO. I'm not sure if these are the so-called VHO or not, but wattage is only rated at 55watts.
Let me know if anyone has additional info on these bulbs, I would like to investigate further.
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