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View Full Version : T5ho Vs Vho


Nascars
09/27/2007, 08:23 PM
Which is better? I have 4 Vho's on a 75 gallon. I'm looking to upgrade. If T5HO are better how many would i need. I have zoas, soft, lps, and sps. They are doing good but i'm looking to get new lights.

SDiver
09/27/2007, 08:39 PM
4 buld would be fine with icecap reflectors and a 660 ballast. the t5 will keep your selections just fine.

Nascars
09/27/2007, 08:55 PM
How good is this one? http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1369 Also what are some good bulbs to get?

pjf
09/27/2007, 09:29 PM
While a 2x54w T5HO system will provide the same light for your aquarium as 4x110w T12VHO, I recommend one of the following:

(1) A 2x54w actinic T5HO pair on one switch & ballast plus a 2x54w blue-white T5HO pair on a second switch & ballast. You can run the actinic pair for 10-12 hours and the blue-white pair for 4-6 hours.

(2) A 2x110w actinic VHO pair that includes the UVL "Super Actinic R" bulb on one switch & ballast plus a 2x54w blue-white T5HO pair on a second switch & ballast.

Choice (2) will allow you to salvage part of your investment in VHO and allows you to use the VHO UVL "Super Actinic R" bulb that many aquarists believe is the best bulb for inducing coral fluorescence.

SDiver
09/28/2007, 05:15 AM
i would suggest 4x54 icecap retro from reefgeek.com.
it comes with everything!

AD87
09/28/2007, 08:29 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10859059#post10859059 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pjf
While a 2x54w T5HO system will provide the same light for your aquarium as 4x110w T12VHO, I recommend one of the following:

(1) A 2x54w actinic T5HO pair on one switch & ballast plus a 2x54w blue-white T5HO pair on a second switch & ballast. You can run the actinic pair for 10-12 hours and the blue-white pair for 4-6 hours.

(2) A 2x110w actinic VHO pair that includes the UVL "Super Actinic R" bulb on one switch & ballast plus a 2x54w blue-white T5HO pair on a second switch & ballast.

Choice (2) will allow you to salvage part of your investment in VHO and allows you to use the VHO UVL "Super Actinic R" bulb that many aquarists believe is the best bulb for inducing coral fluorescence.


Are you sure option (1) would work? Im looking into the same setup sps, lps, softies zoos, ect. Thats only 216 watts, are t-5's that more superior over vho?

tkeracer619
09/28/2007, 09:35 AM
My vote is for 2x250W MH...... or even the 150 watters.

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1325

w/pheonix 14k bulbs.

john rochon
09/28/2007, 09:46 AM
having try'd both I'd vote for VHO. I found no matter what, the reflectors for T5 got spotted and dirty fast and in some cases unrepairable!!! cutting your light output by alot.
VHO you would just have to wipe the bulb itself and be done with it. also, T5 need fairly decent ventialtion wereas VHO not so much
I've also heard that VHO will be available in T8 lamps soon

pjf
09/28/2007, 10:19 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10860952#post10860952 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by speeddemonlsr
Are you sure option (1) would work? Im looking into the same setup sps, lps, softies zoos, ect. Thats only 216 watts, are t-5's that more superior over vho?
Linear T5 lighting produces more light per watt consumed than VHO:

• A 4-foot 115-watt T12-VHO lamp produces 49 to 55 lumens per watt (http://www.elliptipar.com/vertical/Vertpdf/VertGdLg.pdf) for a total of about 6000 lumens.
• A 4-foot 54-watt T5-HO produces 93 lumens per watt (http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/lightingAnswers/lat5/pc1a.asp) for a total of about 5000 lumens.

Although the T12-VHO consumes twice the electrical power, it barely exceeds the light output of the T5-HO.

With individual parabolic reflectors, the T5-HO will deliver more light into the aquarium than the T12-VHO. The T12 tube is 1-1/2 inches in diameter and blocks much of the light reflected from its own reflector. A T5 tube is 5/8 inches in diameter and lets most of the reflected light continue to the aquarium.

madadi
09/28/2007, 10:41 AM
my fish tank is a 90gal with 8 t5s over it. i got corals from friends before that had 2 250w MH with VHO actinic and the corals in my tank turned bluer and much brighter colors. i also got frags from friends that had 2 400w MH also with VHO actinic and the frags have kept the same colors. i'm really happy with the t5s. i just don't like the pure actinic because they are too purple. i like blue plus, blue special, 12k bulbs and white. don't expect any shimmering like with MH, thats the only downside.

bag151
09/28/2007, 10:59 AM
I like the idea of doing a Mix, The T5's carry the punch to produce high PAR values per watt in comparison to the VHO's, but they are not currently producing the actinic frequencies that VHO's do. I would do a mix of the two and when they finally import the red spectrum T5's to the US you will have an excellent spectrum. You can keep SPS under VHO's but you are going to have to place them high in the tank for them to get the light intensity they need.

AD87
09/28/2007, 11:05 AM
So what do you guys suggest, how many bulbs would I need? the setup that im getting will not have individual reflectors. but be t-5's. My setup is a 75 gallon want to run some sps (higher up) lps softies zoos, shrooms.

john rochon
09/28/2007, 11:33 AM
yes but at what distance would the T5 have to be to the water surface in order to ''outperform'' VHO's !
closer to the water, more salt residue and splashing just from microbubbles popping. unless you clean those reflectors almost everyday they'll be tarnished/stain in no time. hence cutting back the light output BIGTIME. the idea is great but the practise isn't IMO.
I'm not into pulling off those reflectors more than once a week if that! big pain!!!!I'd rather waste some energy and just wipe the VHO lamp. also with a T8 lamp coming out it'll be more energy smart.

oct2274
09/28/2007, 01:18 PM
john, why do you have popping microbubbles in your display tank lol. I have T5's and Halides. The only time the T5's get water on the refectors is if i'm doing something to splash them or a fish somehow splashes them. I clean my reflectors like once every three months max. If your tank is plumbed right, there is no reason why you would have bubbles popping constantly in your aquarium to the extent of it effecting your reflectors. There really is no comparison between T5HO and VHO...... It's T5HO hands down. Well, that is unless you like huge bulbs that waste tons of electricity, cost more, and have to be replaced atleast 2-3 times as often.

AD87
09/28/2007, 01:37 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10861987#post10861987 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by speeddemonlsr
So what do you guys suggest, how many bulbs would I need? the setup that im getting will not have individual reflectors. but be t-5's. My setup is a 75 gallon want to run some sps (higher up) lps softies zoos, shrooms.

anyone?

oct2274
09/28/2007, 01:45 PM
if you aren't getting individual reflectors there really is no reason to go with T5HO. The individual reflectors is what makes T5HO a good choice. I would highly not recommend any T5HO setup that didn't have individual reflectors........

AD87
09/28/2007, 01:51 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10863011#post10863011 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by oct2274
if you aren't getting individual reflectors there really is no reason to go with T5HO. The individual reflectors is what makes T5HO a good choice. I would highly not recommend any T5HO setup that didn't have individual reflectors........

If the setup did have individual reflectors would 4 bulbs be sufficient. Also what bulbs should I use since I cannot add a variety? ex. blue plus/pro color/blue plus/ ge 3000k? Any help would be great.

oct2274
09/28/2007, 01:59 PM
Yes, 4 bulbs would be ok for a 75 gallon tank with the right bulb combination. I would run one GE 6500 and atleast two ATI blue plus bulbs as well. For the 4th bulb you could run something like the UV SuperActinic for a bit more pop.

AD87
09/28/2007, 02:23 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10863113#post10863113 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by oct2274
Yes, 4 bulbs would be ok for a 75 gallon tank with the right bulb combination. I would run one GE 6500 and atleast two ATI blue plus bulbs as well. For the 4th bulb you could run something like the UV SuperActinic for a bit more pop.

I dont want to seem to be cheap but what kit (retro or complete) is the best for the money (individual reflectors). 48" long.

oct2274
09/28/2007, 03:33 PM
A couple of really good places to look would be reefgeek.com, premiumaquatics.com, or diyreef.com.

I really think one of the best deals around right now is this:

5 bulb T5HO fixture
https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=55_90&products_id=465&osCsid=142519fe34ae58efe10982162ce2a924

Remember most fixtures don't come with bulbs. Browse around, if you have questions, ask.
5 bulb T5HO fixture

I haven't bought for over a year so I don't know where the best prices are for fixtures and retro's. I personally bought everything all separate and made my own retro kits for less and better components then most, but I'm good with wiring.

pjf
09/28/2007, 04:33 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10861987#post10861987 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by speeddemonlsr
So what do you guys suggest, how many bulbs would I need? the setup that im getting will not have individual reflectors. but be t-5's. My setup is a 75 gallon want to run some sps (higher up) lps softies zoos, shrooms.
For the combination of 2 T5HO and 2 VHO, you would need only two individual reflectors for the T5HO. You would then order the UVL VHO bulbs that have built-in internal reflectors.

If you decide on 4xT5HO, you should order 4 individual reflectors.

TIMMYE
09/28/2007, 09:26 PM
I think the cheapest you can do it, is to buy a Fulham Workhorse & ballast to run all 4 T-5 bulbs, buy your selected bulbs, sockets, and refeltors for a total DIY. You can normally find the WH ballast for around 30-35.00.