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View Full Version : VHO vs T5 heat, etc


Rich_Lucas
01/31/2007, 10:24 PM
Is there a huge heat difference between VHOs and T5s? How do they compare to say power compacts? Also on a 6ft 120g tank if I go with VHOs, is it better to use 6' bulbs or 3' bulbs?

Rich_Lucas
02/01/2007, 08:29 PM
Anyone?

pjf
02/01/2007, 09:05 PM
T5 lamps generate ~100 lumens per watt and T5HO lamps generate ~90 lumens per watt (http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/lightingAnswers/lat5/pc1a.asp).

PC lamps (pin-based High Wattage Compact Fluorescent Lamps or HW-CFL) generate ~60 lumens per watt (http://lightingresearch.org/programs/nlpip/lightingAnswers/HWCFL/HWCFL-efficacy.asp).

VHO T12 lamps generate only ~50 lumens per watt (http://www.elliptipar.com/vertical/Vertpdf/VertGdLg.pdf).

Another great advantage of T5 lamps are fixtures that provide individual reflectors for each lamp.

Rich_Lucas
02/01/2007, 10:17 PM
What does this mean when it comes to heat? I'm not looking to keep anything that requires a lot of light although keeping my options open is always nice. The problem is the very low canopy that is on this tank and I don't want to be generating a lot of heat in there.

pjf
02/01/2007, 10:43 PM
The heat generated is based on wattage. To minimize heat for the light produced, choose the most efficient lighting: T5 or T5HO. Avoid PC and VHO lighting.

pjf
02/01/2007, 11:03 PM
Make sure that each of your T5HO lamps has an individual reflector. The reflector will maximize the light directed into your tank without using electricity or producing heat.

Rich_Lucas
02/02/2007, 10:41 PM
Ok thanks, I was thinking T5 was hotter than the VHOs so that helps quite a bit. I was just looking at some T5 bulbs but they don't appear to come in 6ft length. What configuration would you suggest for a 6ft tank to get the best lighting?