VHO's or T5's?

[TrojanScott]

I'm doing Metal Halides, so this is for color, aesthetics.

According to Greg at Reefgeek, the "true" actinic is not available in the 80W bulb yet.

Should I do T5's, knowing this will probably be out sooner than later?

I realize they're more efficient, less power drained, etc.

What do you guys think? Or, should I stick with the true actinic VHO's?

 

[TrojanScott]

oh, by the way, the halides are XM 10k's, 250W, SE.

 

[horkn]

get the t5, eventually there will be an 80w t5 actinic that is good. I am certain UVLighting is fielding tons of "when are you making 5 foot t5?" questions now. well, at least in a week when consumers get the 2, 3, and 4 footers they are making.

the blue+ or actinic + are pretty darn decent.

 

[PrangeWay]

VHO

VHO

I'd go with the available, proven and very nice looking VHO's for now. A retrofit to run your Actinic isn't very expensive, and you can upgrade to the t5's in a year or two when they are available in 5ft.

btw I'm actually looking for the judgement (good real user stuff, spectral plots, photo comparison and such) on the new "true" actinic t5's, than upgrading my hood to fit them if they come back with good reviews.

 

[horkn]

and waste money getting different ballasts and endcaps and such on the VHO?

along with higher electric bills, and short bulb life?

 

[ambaratur]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7442061#post7442061 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by horkn
and waste money getting different ballasts and endcaps and such on the VHO?

along with higher electric bills, and short bulb life?

If you use the right balasts you only have to have new endcaps right?

So yes more heat and power in the meantime but when it is time to upgrade you could just swap out the lamps and endcaps - however if it was me I would just start with T5 and then switch bulbs when I was ready.

Overall cost would be lower and then you would be set.

 

[TrojanScott]

Thanks guys. I think I'll go with the T5's and be done with it.

 

[TrojanScott]

Damn I hate this hobby. From what I've been told, URI has no plans to make the 5 foot bulb at this point.

Well, with an IC 660, I guess I can run VHO's and switch to T5's down line. I love the coloration with the VHO's, although I've yet to see T5's actinic + or any for that matter, in person.

 

[BreadmanMike]

Why not just use 2 set's of 36" T5 retro's or stagger the 48"?

 

[TrojanScott]

Decisions, decsions!

Any one actually seen the new T5 actinics? Are they comparable to the URI VHO's?

 

[AmerICHans]

trojan if you did a 14k or even 12 k halide you really wouldn't need actinics other than for dawn dusk

 

[AmerICHans]

URI is no longer , it's called UV Lighting now, but I know what you mean

 

[The Grim Reefer]

People seem to be placing a lot of faith in these UVL actinics before they even hit the market. If you want to run T5's get an actinic plus and a pure actinic. The combination of the 2 looks pretty nice. If the UVL lamps live up to the hype you can upgrade to them down the line, assuming they bring out a 5 foot version. I guess that will depend on who is manufacturing the lamps for them.

 

[Shouse94]

T5's all the way, they ARE a newer,superior technology