Which offers better fluoresence t-5 or vho

[wpbfishguy]

I need to add actinic lighting to my tank to compliment 14k 250w hqi metal haldies. I am looking at either vho or t-5 but am wonder which offers better fluoresence of fish and coral colors. These would be 6' bulbs and I do not need the to perform any purpose other than provide fluoresence so I am not concerned with intensity/watts just color.

[The Grim Reefer]

VHO's would be your best option because T5's only come as long as 5 feet.

[wpbfishguy]

a five foot long t-5 bulb would be ok with me if it would offer better color than a vho bulb. anyone else able to offer input. thanks

[Aquabucket]

VHO actinics look similar to normal output actinics and run toward the purple side. They put out less visible light than other actinics like T5 so they might appear dimmer to the eye.

T5s come in various types of actinics and no bulb alone is going to have the look of a VHO. To get the best effect with T5s most combine a blue plus bulb (near actinic but more visible light) with an 03 actinic or a super actinic.

A T5 combo such as this will bring out a wider variety of eye poping colors in your corals than a VHO.

[AZDesertRat]

Nothing fluoresces like URI (UV Lighting now) VHO Super Actinics. They may not put out as much punch as T5 but no other bulbs compare.

[Aquabucket]

UVL is making T5 super actinics now. Like I said a combo of T5s now a days can bring out a wider variation of fluoresence in corals than the more limiting VHOs.

What it gets down to is a matter of taste in the end.

[The Grim Reefer]

Premium Aquatics is now selling 6 foot T5's from Helios. The Super Blue Helios lamp is the schnitz.

[Aquabucket]

Do you suggest I try one of those when I replace my ATI blue plus? They do come in 39 watts I hope.

[The Grim Reefer]

They do come in 39 watt sizes, problem is you have to run it in their fixture because the lamp is about an inch longer than stanndard T5's.

[wpbfishguy]

Thanks everyone...I may just stick to my original thought of going with t-5's. I will check out the 6ft t5 bulbs since I will go retro so fixture length will not be a concern

[The Grim Reefer]

Zactly, if you can't get another 6 foot T5 it doesn't much matter if this is the only brand of lamp you can use.

[saltwatersmac]

Hey Grim...could you use a Helios Super Blue in a Tek retro as long as you space the endcaps out a little?

[raynist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8290990#post8290990 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
They do come in 39 watt sizes, problem is you have to run it in their fixture because the lamp is about an inch longer than stanndard T5's.

That is a bummer, so you can't use a UV Lighting bulb or any other in their fixture?

--Ray

[mirkus]

Per Reefgeek the UV lighting 39 watter is 34" just like a standard bulb.

I want to try this bulb too...

[horkn]

yes, the uvl bulbs are standard length. the helios superblues are the weird length bulbs, but at least they make and sell 5 footers. thats something UVL doesnt do

and the UVL super actinic t5ho are the spitting image of the old uri vho SA bulb

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8318807#post8318807 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mirkus
Per Reefgeek the UV lighting 39 watter is 34" just like a standard bulb.

I want to try this bulb too...

We (I think) we talking bout the Helios lamps Premium is selling. UVL T5 are the regular length we are all used to. The Helios lamps are a little longer.