URI Vho's on sale @ Dr. Fosters now
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/NavResults.cfm?N=2004+113174
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/NavResults.cfm?N=2004+113174
vho vs. t5
- Thread starter mar-y-sol
- Start date
dobly_1999
Member
Corals under T5
Corals under T5
I have 2 T5 and 2 250W 15K MH on a 90 gallon. I like the T5s and the power and heat is low. I like the VHO, but the replacement period is too short. I am told that T5s can last 18 months to two years before replacement.
Here are some pictures of corals under T5s.
Corals under T5
I have 2 T5 and 2 250W 15K MH on a 90 gallon. I like the T5s and the power and heat is low. I like the VHO, but the replacement period is too short. I am told that T5s can last 18 months to two years before replacement.
Here are some pictures of corals under T5s.
Rogger Castells
New member
I have used both types and prefer the t5's over regular vho. The reason is space and electrical savings, the fact that one makes the coral appear brighter than the other makes no difference to me, the fact is that actinic light does absolutely NOTHING to the coral growth or health this is more an aesthetic and visual preference than anything else.
Watt per Watt T5's when ran with parabolic reflectors put a much higher par than VHO's at a much lower cost per hour to run this transfers to mucho savings $$ utilizing less space as well.
My vote goes for T5's
Watt per Watt T5's when ran with parabolic reflectors put a much higher par than VHO's at a much lower cost per hour to run this transfers to mucho savings $$ utilizing less space as well.
My vote goes for T5's
About bulb replacement, if the bulb doesn't add anything but color, why not run it until it's out? I'm still using Treeman's 1.5 year old 4x110w VHO for actinic in my tank, and actually I'm still using his old 10k coralvue bulbs too, and they've done nothing but grow out and color up my corals like I couldn't imagine. This debate will probably be as long standing as the great MH vs. T5 debate. In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. Hell, for best color and best look, the best bet is probably just to have 1 400w 20k bulb in between halides, and use that for actinic supplement.
What brand of 10ks? It's really nice, don't get me wrong, but some people like the color pop of VHO and T5 actinic supplement. That's what this debate is about. I'm sure that there are many people who don't even run supplemental colors and have beautiful tanks. We're just talking about whether VHO or T5 provide the best actinic supplement. Nice pic tho. I'm sure Sanjay's tank is a beaut in person!
Tvarg
New member
Unfortunatly, most do not realize that you can not run VHO or T5s with MH at the same time. Here the deal, the heat from the MH when running along side the supplemental lighting make them inefficient. The added heat make the phosphorous react differently. These bulb were not disign to work under all that heat.
Now, if you can keep them separated and ensure no residual heat, they will operate just fine.
One the other hand, my point is, you can have a tank that is outstanding without supplemental lighting. Why would anyone want to give more money to FPL, if you don't have to! And, still have the same resalts.
The bulb Sanjay is using are EVC Tech 10k bulbs, they are cheap and efficient. He had them replaced after one years time.
Now, if you can keep them separated and ensure no residual heat, they will operate just fine.
One the other hand, my point is, you can have a tank that is outstanding without supplemental lighting. Why would anyone want to give more money to FPL, if you don't have to! And, still have the same resalts.
The bulb Sanjay is using are EVC Tech 10k bulbs, they are cheap and efficient. He had them replaced after one years time.
Honestly, I believe that most people add actinics because they like the look, more than they rely on them for growth potential. That said, I really don't care how much PAR they're putting out or such. The bulbs are 1.5 years old, they probably don't have much life in them either. I'm also running 1.5 year old coralvue 10k 250w halide bulbs too, and even if they've diminished in color, it hasn't bothered my eyes, and my corals certainly don't mind, as I get pretty fantastic growth and color out of most of my acros, montis, and I made the mistake of keeping a galaxia in the top 1/3 of the tank, and they stayed shrivled up from too much light, so I moved them down and they thrived once again.
I'll buy the arguement that they're less effective in delivering usable growth related light to the corals, but for color, they seem to be doing fine IME.
If I were to go without supplemental lighting, I would have gone with ReefLuxes, after seeing the colors that people have gotten from them. I think on my nano, when the 14k halide bulb runs out (when I get the fixture), I'll replace it with a Reeflux DE so I'll be able to speak from experience on it.
I'll buy the arguement that they're less effective in delivering usable growth related light to the corals, but for color, they seem to be doing fine IME.
If I were to go without supplemental lighting, I would have gone with ReefLuxes, after seeing the colors that people have gotten from them. I think on my nano, when the 14k halide bulb runs out (when I get the fixture), I'll replace it with a Reeflux DE so I'll be able to speak from experience on it.
loyalrogue
New member
What a tease.
I thought for sure you were going to show two seperate pics of the same tank under VHOs and under T5s... Boooooooo.
Far from killing the debate, it just makes me wonder how all those corals would "pop" under some additional VHO actinics. lol
markandkristen
Active member
has anyone tried the t5 super actinic by UV which is suppose to be the same as vho
instrance
New member
Has anyone tried these ? Is it true what they say? The only true actinic on the market?
T5 Pure Actinic Giesemann PowerChrome Fluorescent Bulb
This 54 watt 48" Pure Actinic German-made T5 HO fluorescent is the ONLY T-5 High Output true actinic available on the US market. This fluorescent lamp spikes at 420 nanometers for ultimate fluorescence of capable coral. T5 fluorescent aquarium bulbs are 5/8" diameter fluorescent tubes rather than the standard 1-1/2" diameter. This slim profile makes T5 fluorescents more efficient than standard fluorescent tubes. T5 fluorescent bulbs also put out more light than standard fluorescent lamps, power compacts and VHOs
T5 Pure Actinic Giesemann PowerChrome Fluorescent Bulb
This 54 watt 48" Pure Actinic German-made T5 HO fluorescent is the ONLY T-5 High Output true actinic available on the US market. This fluorescent lamp spikes at 420 nanometers for ultimate fluorescence of capable coral. T5 fluorescent aquarium bulbs are 5/8" diameter fluorescent tubes rather than the standard 1-1/2" diameter. This slim profile makes T5 fluorescents more efficient than standard fluorescent tubes. T5 fluorescent bulbs also put out more light than standard fluorescent lamps, power compacts and VHOs
