Replacing VHO with T5- good move?

jjakes24 · 11/01/2006, 12:15 PM

I have a standard 55g tank with 4 48" VHO lights in my hood. I run 2 10k lights and 2 acentics. I was thinking of replacing the 2 daylight VHO's for 2 tek t-5's. I was thinking of doing this to A) increase the light. B) decrease the cost. c) decrease the heat produced. I would keep the acentics on the VHO's. I thought now might be a good time to do this since hello lights is running a sale on the retrofit fixture. Any inputs? would this be a good move?

horkn · 11/01/2006, 12:51 PM

yep, its a gret idea. but the output of the teks will be more than the vho they are replacing.. as far as PAR. now, the t5s will use less energy than the vho's

jjakes24 · 11/01/2006, 01:16 PM

so i'll actually have more light in my tank than I have now?

BLockamon · 11/01/2006, 10:58 PM

With good single bulb reflectors, a 54W T5 will put out more light than a 110W VHO.

PS, I don't know what the TRU bulbs that come with the Hello Lights version are. For $20 more, you can get the retrofit kit with any two bulbs you want (ARI, UV, etc.) from Reefgeek.

acliao · 11/01/2006, 11:17 PM

definitely go for it. However, the T5s with good reflectors might be too bright and melt your softies if you don't acclaim them slowly. I melted several expensive softies after I upgraded to T5s.

jjakes24 · 11/02/2006, 09:41 AM

thanks all. So for bulbs, If I am keeping my 2 VHO super acentics, what t-5 bulbs whould I get to go along with it?

BLockamon · 11/02/2006, 11:28 AM

I'm tempted to say 1 Aquablue and 1 Blue Plus. I suspect that the VHO actinics won't contribute too much to the overall color once the T5s come on. If you find that combo too blue, I'd go with 2 Aquablue.

jjakes24 · 11/02/2006, 02:38 PM

I think I will go with that. I have a some softies and an anenome in my tank. When I get these, If I read it right, I will need to keep my lights on for like 3 hours a day and bump it up an hour every two days until I get to my full photo period for acclimation?

BLockamon · 11/02/2006, 04:59 PM

That will probably work just fine.

jgatmaitan · 11/02/2006, 09:55 PM

jjakes24,

Good topic. I too have 4 VHOs right now for my tank and would consider T5s but that's not happening anytime soon.

I would be interested in your experience if you do switch to t5s

neuroslicer · 11/02/2006, 10:02 PM

I currently have a 65 gallon, which is a 55 gallon extra tall. I have four 46 inch 110 watt VHOs: two aquasuns, one superactinic, and one actinic white (50/50). I was considering switching over to T5's because my SPS didn't seem to be growing that well. (i've got about 3 dozen SPS, not to mention several LPS and softies). On a hunch, before taking the plunge of added cost for new lighting and ballasts, I bought some glass mirror squares (12 X 12 inches)from Home Depot, and those squares of course increased the light reflectance into my tank considerably. Am I ever glad I did! My SPS are thriving under the higher light, growing like I've never seen them grow before. So I'm keeping the VHOs for sure! Why fix something that's not broke? And many of my SPS look better than when they were frags in my friends tanks (and they have metal halides or PCs in their tanks). Also, my tridacna crocea looks great as well. Check out my gallery for pics.

The one casualty to the increase in light were my ricordia... they were bleached with the added illumination.

Henry Bowman · 11/02/2006, 11:11 PM

The switch to T5's would be a good one in your case. I also recommend the aquablues. Keep in mind, the real effectiveness of the T5's is in the reflector(s). With the correct reflectors you can eliminate the MH's and go to T5's all the way and never look back

WangoTANGo · 11/03/2006, 06:03 PM

had to fix: posted twice and cant delete. sorry

WangoTANGo · 11/03/2006, 06:04 PM

i dont want to hijack the thread but i too have a 55 with 3x 110watt VHO's . after reading grim's posts on importance of proper cooling i was looking at fully assembled fixtures, mainly the aquatinics fixture, but 5x 54watt bulbs is way overkill. does anyone know if this fixture can run with only 4 bulbs? sorry again to hijack.

BLockamon · 11/03/2006, 07:13 PM

WangoTANGo, the Aquactinics fixture can be run with 2 bulbs (plug/switch #1), 3 bulbs (plug/switch #2), or 5 bulbs (both switches on).

The fan comes on with the 3-bulb switch. However, Tom at Aquactinics says the fixture can be run indefinitely with just 2 bulbs running without overheating.

mikebeasley · 11/17/2006, 11:46 AM

any idea where to get a good deal on a t-5 hood for a 90g tank? it's 48 inches long. I read lots of nice things about the t-5 but havent found any place local with them.

11/02/2006, 10:02 PM	#11
neuroslicer Old School Reefer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Memphis Posts: 1,238	I currently have a 65 gallon, which is a 55 gallon extra tall. I have four 46 inch 110 watt VHOs: two aquasuns, one superactinic, and one actinic white (50/50). I was considering switching over to T5's because my SPS didn't seem to be growing that well. (i've got about 3 dozen SPS, not to mention several LPS and softies). On a hunch, before taking the plunge of added cost for new lighting and ballasts, I bought some glass mirror squares (12 X 12 inches)from Home Depot, and those squares of course increased the light reflectance into my tank considerably. Am I ever glad I did! My SPS are thriving under the higher light, growing like I've never seen them grow before. So I'm keeping the VHOs for sure! Why fix something that's not broke? And many of my SPS look better than when they were frags in my friends tanks (and they have metal halides or PCs in their tanks). Also, my tridacna crocea looks great as well. Check out my gallery for pics. The one casualty to the increase in light were my ricordia... they were bleached with the added illumination. __________________ Saltwater since 1980. Growing SPS since 1995. Science works, beaches! Current Tank Info: 125 gal mixed reef

11/02/2006, 11:11 PM	#12
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	The switch to T5's would be a good one in your case. I also recommend the aquablues. Keep in mind, the real effectiveness of the T5's is in the reflector(s). With the correct reflectors you can eliminate the MH's and go to T5's all the way and never look back __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works

11/17/2006, 11:46 AM	#16
mikebeasley Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa,Fl near USF Posts: 111	any idea where to get a good deal on a t-5 hood for a 90g tank? it's 48 inches long. I read lots of nice things about the t-5 but havent found any place local with them. __________________ 90g rr tank, nova extreme lighting 2 x 54w t-5 10,000k HO and 2 actinics. Current Tank Info: 90g RR, 2 x 54w T-5 HO 10,000k bulbs ,2 actinics

11/01/2006, 12:15 PM	#1
jjakes24 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Philly, PA Posts: 347	Replacing VHO with T5- good move? I have a standard 55g tank with 4 48" VHO lights in my hood. I run 2 10k lights and 2 acentics. I was thinking of replacing the 2 daylight VHO's for 2 tek t-5's. I was thinking of doing this to A) increase the light. B) decrease the cost. c) decrease the heat produced. I would keep the acentics on the VHO's. I thought now might be a good time to do this since hello lights is running a sale on the retrofit fixture. Any inputs? would this be a good move?

11/01/2006, 12:51 PM	#2
horkn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: milwaukee wisconsin Posts: 4,125	yep, its a gret idea. but the output of the teks will be more than the vho they are replacing.. as far as PAR. now, the t5s will use less energy than the vho's __________________ people write stupid things in this space Current Tank Info: 200g DIY wood reef, 2x 250w SE 10k MH 2x80 t5ho, 75g sump, Geo Ca RX, ASD 6" recirc skimmer

11/01/2006, 01:16 PM	#3
jjakes24 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Philly, PA Posts: 347	so i'll actually have more light in my tank than I have now?

11/01/2006, 10:58 PM	#4
BLockamon Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,104	With good single bulb reflectors, a 54W T5 will put out more light than a 110W VHO. PS, I don't know what the TRU bulbs that come with the Hello Lights version are. For $20 more, you can get the retrofit kit with any two bulbs you want (ARI, UV, etc.) from Reefgeek.

11/01/2006, 11:17 PM	#5
acliao Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 107	definitely go for it. However, the T5s with good reflectors might be too bright and melt your softies if you don't acclaim them slowly. I melted several expensive softies after I upgraded to T5s.

11/02/2006, 09:41 AM	#6
jjakes24 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Philly, PA Posts: 347	thanks all. So for bulbs, If I am keeping my 2 VHO super acentics, what t-5 bulbs whould I get to go along with it?

11/02/2006, 11:28 AM	#7
BLockamon Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,104	I'm tempted to say 1 Aquablue and 1 Blue Plus. I suspect that the VHO actinics won't contribute too much to the overall color once the T5s come on. If you find that combo too blue, I'd go with 2 Aquablue.

11/02/2006, 02:38 PM	#8
jjakes24 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Philly, PA Posts: 347	I think I will go with that. I have a some softies and an anenome in my tank. When I get these, If I read it right, I will need to keep my lights on for like 3 hours a day and bump it up an hour every two days until I get to my full photo period for acclimation?

11/02/2006, 04:59 PM	#9
BLockamon Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,104	That will probably work just fine.

11/02/2006, 09:55 PM	#10
jgatmaitan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: King Of Prussia, PA Posts: 329	jjakes24, Good topic. I too have 4 VHOs right now for my tank and would consider T5s but that's not happening anytime soon. I would be interested in your experience if you do switch to t5s

11/03/2006, 06:03 PM	#13
WangoTANGo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 177	had to fix: posted twice and cant delete. sorry

11/03/2006, 06:04 PM	#14
WangoTANGo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 177	i dont want to hijack the thread but i too have a 55 with 3x 110watt VHO's . after reading grim's posts on importance of proper cooling i was looking at fully assembled fixtures, mainly the aquatinics fixture, but 5x 54watt bulbs is way overkill. does anyone know if this fixture can run with only 4 bulbs? sorry again to hijack.

11/03/2006, 07:13 PM	#15
BLockamon Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,104	WangoTANGo, the Aquactinics fixture can be run with 2 bulbs (plug/switch #1), 3 bulbs (plug/switch #2), or 5 bulbs (both switches on). The fan comes on with the 3-bulb switch. However, Tom at Aquactinics says the fixture can be run indefinitely with just 2 bulbs running without overheating.