VHO vs. T5s

[Damon]

Ok, I'm setting up a new tank. I'm a complete newbie and am very confused. It's a standard 65G about 24" tall and 36" long.

The question comes down to what's best. I want a lot of variety in the corals I keep which means I need higher wattage. The VHO/T5 debate isn't making a lot of sense to me.

I can get 6 T5s for about $400 but the wattage is going to be about 234W while the 4 VHOs would be closer to 364W and be about $50 cheaper. I understand that T5s run cooler and supposedly have a longer life than VHOs but wattage is wattage and the more the merrier, right?

I've got this posted on another board and I'm not getting much help. I hope I've come to the right place for some serious advice.

Thanks in advance!

 

[AnemicOak]

Look at the first part of this thread. There was a fair amount of discussion on T5 vs VHO.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=417811

It gets more complicated than just wattage.

 

[Damon]

Wow. That's a lot of information and opinion!

So, what did you go with?

 

[Putawaywet]

Re: VHO vs. T5s

I understand that T5s run cooler and supposedly have a longer life than VHOs but wattage is wattage and the more the merrier, right?

Not exactly

There are many ways to measure lights....

Lumens
Lux
Par
Watts
Kelvin

All will tell you something about the setup, but no one number in itself will make it better for your tank just because it is higher than the one you are comparing it to.

Also, as you have already mentioned, unless you have unlimited finances bulb life may indeed be a large factor in your decision. Over the years I found myself changing out my VHO's anywhere from 12-15 months. But suppossedly, T5's can easily go 24 months or more. This might make a differece to you when it comes time to reorder bulbs.

and to complicate your decision even further, there are several ballasts that will overdrive T5's and bump up their output by an additional 15-20% which will give you some extra bang for your buck. So for a few dollars more upfront it provides additional benefits down the road.

Brett

 

[David Groos]

Watts is just how much energy goes to dirve the bulb. If the bulb/ballast is more efficient less energy will be lost to heat and you will get more lux and par with less energy input. The t-5's are extremely effcient and my definate choice.

 

[AnemicOak]

So, what did you go with?

LOL, I haven't gotten anything yet. :rolleye1:

I was all set to get a MH/PC combo fixture, but I may have changed my mind again. :fun5:


I was going along with the thinking of spend the money for MH's right away, because you'll want them sooner or later. I basically doubled my lighting budget just so I could have MH's (which I could make work, but would have made things tight). However my thinking has kind of come full circle. I think I'd be ok with a T5 Tek Light fixture. If I did decide on MH's later, well I guess upgrades are part of any hobby .


Good Luck!

 

[sfsuphysics]

It gets more complicated than just wattage.

Understatement of the year!

Of course you can still DIY it and probably do it for cheaper than those prices you quoted by a large margin. Then don't forget the added cost of electricity over time. 100 extra watts 12 hours a day, adds up to about 3-5 bucks a month, more.

 

[Putawaywet]

Well heck, why don't you make it even more interesting and go take a look at Sunlight Supply's new fixture that has a double ended MH with T5's

Isn't this lighting thing just loads of fun?

Brett

 

[Entropy]

I am still rather shocked that there have been no T5 vs. VHO/PC/metal halide tests yet. The technology (T5) has been out long enough now I think for someone (at least a MFG) to back up the awesome claims coming out of the T5 camp. I am not saying they are BS, but a couple of comparisons would be nice. Until then I am still recommending VHO retrofits from Hellolights. 2x110w (or 95w) VHO complete (retrofit, bulbs+endcaps+standoffs+ballast+powercord) for $99 plus shipping. Two of those will get you 360-440w of light that will grow just about anything in a tank your size. It might not penetrate to the bottom that great, but neither will T5's.

 

[AnemicOak]

Well heck, why don't you make it even more interesting and go take a look at Sunlight Supply's new fixture that has a double ended MH with T5's

Yeah it's nice, but $$$$$$

Isn't this lighting thing just loads of fun?

Oh yeah, LOADS of fun.

 

[kmu]

I concur with entropy..

 

[jerryc]

I used VHO for a long time with grate results before going to MH
still using them for actinic.
But i do hear a lot of good about T5.

 

[Damon]

I appreciate everyone's input on this. I think it comes down to "whatever works." There's no definitive answer and someone has had success with VHO, T5, and MH so to each their own, I guess.

 

[tacocat]

T-5s are similar to PC. The thing that sets them apart is the ability to get a good reflector and compact size. The reflector focuses the light and is more efficient than VHO bulbs with internal reflectors. Without a reflector, the T-5's performance suffers greatly. VHOs produce better actinic light, are easy to find. If you are running 48" bulbs, you can run $5 GE daylight deluxe bulbs.

 

[madadi]

i love my T5s, but i think that t5 actinic doesn't compare to VHO actinic.
i first got 8 t5s retrofitted in a DIY canopy. i replaced two T5s with actinic VHOs and i never been happier with the color. if you can, i recommend it.

 

[madadi]

if you need some advice to make you choice easier, i read somewhere that a 54w T5 produce 5000 lumens but a 110w VHO produces 6000 lumens. ill try to find the exact pg i found it on. good luck with your choice.