VHO vs T5

[primo21]

Need all you experts to give some opinions here. Currently have 2x 110w VHO bulbs providing actinic supplement to my halides. Getting harder to find the bulbs and found a 4x 24w T5 Odyssea fixture for a little more than replacement cost of my VHO. Wondering what the comparison is between T5 and VHO. Will the T5 give me at least the same output as the VHO? Been running them for a while and like the color, just want to make sure if i do switch the T5 wont give me less "bang for the buck". I will need to rewire my hood, so also need to make sure its worth that effort too.

thanks.

 

[billdogg]

IMHO, you will never match the pop you get with actinic t12 VHO.

 

[rsaha]

+1 I should have never gotten rid of mine...

 

[rtparty]

T12 Actinic bulbs are still the best for that look but you can get pretty close with some LEDs. I would look into Build My LEDs for an actinic supplementation.

 

[primo21]

would love to go all LED, but a little out of my range at this point.

 

[rtparty]

would love to go all LED, but a little out of my range at this point.

Didn't say to go all LED. Just get a couple strips to replace the vho bulbs.

 

[primo21]

still $300 per strip from Build My LED for a 48" strip. i guess i will continue my hunt for the VHO bulbs. premium aquatics has the super actinic R, but i was looking for the 454.

thanks for the replys.

 

[Green Chromis]

:fish1: Try Marine Depot, Champion Lighting, and Aqua Cave. They are all sponsors on this site and the 454 bulbs are hard to come buy for some reason. I'm trying to order two right now. :fish1:

 

[rtparty]

still $300 per strip from Build My LED for a 48" strip. i guess i will continue my hunt for the VHO bulbs. premium aquatics has the super actinic R, but i was looking for the 454.

thanks for the replys.

You're looking for the blue bulb? Not the actinic?

Some blue LEDs are cheap and easy and provide way better pop than any fluorescent tube.

 

[elmatth1]

Ebay still has the 454. I can't find them anywhere else either. Must be getting discontinued or something.I was thinking about going back to supplementing with VHO t12s on my next build, might change my mind if I can't get the good bulbs anymore!

 

[rizon25]

I went from t5 to mh plus vho. Actinic vho hands down over t5 for color pop. However I just recently switched to full led and I'm enjoying the slimmer profile of the led units over my tank, a cooler tank, and less water evaporation. Also I'm liking the color pop of the royal blue LEDs more than my vho's right now.

 

[moondoggy4]

You could try Custom Aquatics I would call rather than order over the net.

 

[billdogg]

take a look at www.hellolights.com too. I've ordered from them in the past - quick service, bulbs arrive well packaged