Will T5 setups save me money?

[tanktoyman]

I currently have a 225 gallon aquarium with three 400 watt MH (2 on pfo ballast the other is a core and coil ballast). Also have four 6' vho setups running on ice cap 660 ballast. I am considering changing out these and going with T5's. I love the look of this setup but the power bill is getting to high running all these bulbs. Has anyone else had this situation and switched to T5's? If so how much did you save by changing these out. What kind of setup would you recommend for T5's if it will save us money?

 

[frenchie]

i switch from outer orbit light fixture that was 3 150 watt de metal halides with 4 96 watt pc lights(834 watts total)

to nova extreme pro 12 39 watt HO t5's(468 total watts)
individual reflectors on t5's helps reflect more light into tank
so t5's are very bright and as far as wattage goes i use just about half the electric that i was using, probally more since living room isn't as hot.

 

[James77]

What are the dimensions of the tank?

If you love the look, you could go down to 250's in excellent reflectors. Switch to a blue-er bulb so you can drop some of the VHOs.

 

[James77]

The difference for me between running an 8x54 Powermodule and 2x250 HQI w/190 watts VHO ws about $10/month. It would be even less if i were to run electronic ballasts. IMO not worth it for the crisper look and shimmer of the halides.

 

[tanktoyman]

The tank is a 225 gallon tall 6' long 2' wide and 3' deep.

 

[frenchie]

agree with james 250's with good reflectors, do miss the shimmer of halides.

 

[frenchie]

bluer halide bulbs and only 2 vho's

 

[frenchie]

t5's wouldn't do well on such a tall tank unless you had softies on sandbed.

 

[rezaktp]

Could save you $$$ in your electric bill especially if you are using a chiller. T5"s run cooler so the chiller will not run as often.

 

[tanktoyman]

Looks like dropping to 250watt MH would drop the bill about $125 per year. Going with only 2 VHOs would also drop it about $100 per year. So about $225 per year savings in doing that. Not sure how this would look with the decrees in lighting. So you think T5's would not work?

 

[tanktoyman]

Not running a chiller on this setup and the tank temp stays between 78 and 81 degrees.

 

[stage3-s4]

you I think the t5s will save you moeny in the long run on the electric bill thats for sure