T5 HO or VHO for atinic sup.

KevinYates · 07/25/2009, 11:26 AM

running a radium 250 over my 30cube, looking to have a dust/dawn period using a Superatinic + True attinc bulbs, and possibly running these with the radium as well to get more color pop.

I can only go with 24'' bulbs and just extreamly confused.. Im looking at t-5 ho 24' and they are 24w a piece.

I see the 24'' VHOs are a little bulkier (dont matter) but are hitting 75w a piece.

it can not be a hood kit or anything, its got to be a retrofit where i can mount each reflector where i need it, due to my tank is a closet aplication, and im already have the lumenmax II over the tank so im going to have to work these in on the sides.

what would give more atinic light, two 24'' vhos or t5 hos
retrofit kit reccomendation?
Ballast, Bulbs, refelector reccomendation?

thanks!

KevinYates · 07/25/2009, 12:16 PM

TTT

DarG · 07/25/2009, 01:00 PM

The "VHO" are T12 lamps ... 1 1/2" diameter lamp. The T5 is 5/8" diam. The reflectors for the T5's are in the 2" - 3" wide range, depending on brand.

The T12 VHO super actinic is a better looking 420nm lamp color wise. It is a much "richer" looking lamp colorwise, a "deeper" violet/actinic color. They are still the best super/true actinic there is in terms of color.
They do not have individual reflectors available for them like the T5's do. Theoretically, a reflector for a T12 lamp would need to be 6 - 8" wide in order to be as effective as those available for T5's. So individual reflectors of the T12 VHO's arent practical.

I would personally go with the VHO super actinic over the T5 with the 24" lamps. T5 puts signifigantly more light into the tank per watt WITH the SLR reflectors available but I think you will end up better off with the T12 VHO in the case of the 24" versions of the lamps ... in terms of color for sure and probably in terms of output as well.

UVL makes the most popular super actinic VHO. They are available with an internal reflector or without.
Go with the internally reflected version lamps.
The UVL brand super actinics are available with the internal 180 degree reflector. Again, these internal reflectors arent nearly as effective as the external reflectors that are available for T5's but they have been around for a long time now and they do direct more light into the tank compared to using VHO's with NO internal reflector.

The downside ... the T12 lamps dont last as long as the T5's and the ballasts are generally more expensive. Icecap is probably the most popular ballast for the T12 VHO's and is around 130 dollars or more for the 430 model which will run up to 4 lamps ... 12 feet total length. ARO also makes a VHO ballast for a bit less (hellolights has them). And I think that Workhorse may make some. In comparison ... An Advance brand ballast for two 4 foot T5 HO's is about 40 bucks if memory serves ... $50 something for a 4 lamp x 4 foot model.
The Icecap ballasts will also drive T5 lamps BTW.

Thats what I would do anyway.

amore169 · 07/25/2009, 01:10 PM

I seen some beautiful set ups with VHO but also with t-5, if u don't mind replacing the VHO more often than t-5, but also t-5 has more different bulb color selection, also depends on the ballast u will use.

KevinYates · 07/25/2009, 01:13 PM

with an internal reflector i really will not need an expensive reflector right? maybe i can just bend a piece of metal at a small angle and mount it onto my lumenmax II sides then mount the vhos on there?

this is what im working with here.

(super old pic)

It seems like my radium is a little brighter than i was hoping, im trying to get some atinic in there to add more color and drown out the crispyness if you know what im trying to get at.

might be going to T-5s, due to the bulb life. can anyone reccomend a good retrofit kit with good reflectors and a ballast that could handle up to 3 24w t-5s.

markandkristen · 07/25/2009, 09:27 PM

i tried to use the t5s actinics a while back tried geisman, ati, current, and another brand ... i had always used vhos... and went back to vhos... vhos have a way of making things pop like you wouldnt believe
bulb life in my opinion is a mixed opinion.. some say they can keep t5s for longer but with any actinics t5s or not your going to be replacing sooner than your daylight bulbs in my opinion.. i get around 10-12 months with my vhos..

DarG · 07/26/2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by markandkristen
i tried to use the t5s actinics a while back tried geisman, ati, current, and another brand ... i had always used vhos... and went back to vhos... vhos have a way of making things pop like you wouldnt believe
bulb life in my opinion is a mixed opinion.. some say they can keep t5s for longer but with any actinics t5s or not your going to be replacing sooner than your daylight bulbs in my opinion.. i get around 10-12 months with my vhos..

I agree on the VHO color.

I ran T12 VHO for over a dozen years ... and as main lighting at 10 - 12 hours per day, 7 months was my outside time frame for replacement. Replacement with new lamps was signifigantly apparent, visually, from both a color and output standpoint.
Its not nearly as apparent with T5 super actinic, even after 12 months on overdriven lamps in my experience.

As supplemental lighting, you should be able to get away with a longer interval between lamp replacement. But my experience with both types of lamps is that T5 definitely has a longer usable life span ... and the manufacturers and lighting gurus information that I have read echo's my own experience.

But YMMV and I agree, different hobbyists have different lamp replacement intervals that work for them. And there are variables that determine lamp life. One example is that T5 have signifigantly longer life if effectively fan cooled.
But if budget is an issue, I would personally plan on replacing T12 VHO more frequently than T5 and possibly factor that into the decision if budget is really tight.

Regardless, the T12 VHO super actinic is a superior 420 nm lamp in terms of color. With the 24" lamps, that would be the MAIN consideration for me ... more important than the respective lamp life and replacement intervals and more important than the additional 50 watts per lamp and associated heat. With the 4 foot lamps that I use its a tougher choice but with the 2 foot lamps it would be all but a no brainer for me to go with the T12 VHO super actinic.

07/25/2009, 11:26 AM	#1
KevinYates Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 194	T5 HO or VHO for atinic sup. running a radium 250 over my 30cube, looking to have a dust/dawn period using a Superatinic + True attinc bulbs, and possibly running these with the radium as well to get more color pop. I can only go with 24'' bulbs and just extreamly confused.. Im looking at t-5 ho 24' and they are 24w a piece. I see the 24'' VHOs are a little bulkier (dont matter) but are hitting 75w a piece. it can not be a hood kit or anything, its got to be a retrofit where i can mount each reflector where i need it, due to my tank is a closet aplication, and im already have the lumenmax II over the tank so im going to have to work these in on the sides. what would give more atinic light, two 24'' vhos or t5 hos retrofit kit reccomendation? Ballast, Bulbs, refelector reccomendation? thanks!

07/25/2009, 01:10 PM	#4
amore169 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,250	I seen some beautiful set ups with VHO but also with t-5, if u don't mind replacing the VHO more often than t-5, but also t-5 has more different bulb color selection, also depends on the ballast u will use. __________________ Arnie. Current Tank Info: 400 Gallon Starphire Rimless. 8 A360WE Kessils with controller. Sfiligoi Infinity DDE 6X250 light fixture. Bubble King Internal 300 Deluxe. 215 Gallon Oceanic Starphire Ultimate FOWRL. 34 Gallon Solana.

07/25/2009, 12:16 PM	#2
KevinYates Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 194	TTT

07/25/2009, 01:00 PM	#3
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	The "VHO" are T12 lamps ... 1 1/2" diameter lamp. The T5 is 5/8" diam. The reflectors for the T5's are in the 2" - 3" wide range, depending on brand. The T12 VHO super actinic is a better looking 420nm lamp color wise. It is a much "richer" looking lamp colorwise, a "deeper" violet/actinic color. They are still the best super/true actinic there is in terms of color. They do not have individual reflectors available for them like the T5's do. Theoretically, a reflector for a T12 lamp would need to be 6 - 8" wide in order to be as effective as those available for T5's. So individual reflectors of the T12 VHO's arent practical. I would personally go with the VHO super actinic over the T5 with the 24" lamps. T5 puts signifigantly more light into the tank per watt WITH the SLR reflectors available but I think you will end up better off with the T12 VHO in the case of the 24" versions of the lamps ... in terms of color for sure and probably in terms of output as well. UVL makes the most popular super actinic VHO. They are available with an internal reflector or without. Go with the internally reflected version lamps. The UVL brand super actinics are available with the internal 180 degree reflector. Again, these internal reflectors arent nearly as effective as the external reflectors that are available for T5's but they have been around for a long time now and they do direct more light into the tank compared to using VHO's with NO internal reflector. The downside ... the T12 lamps dont last as long as the T5's and the ballasts are generally more expensive. Icecap is probably the most popular ballast for the T12 VHO's and is around 130 dollars or more for the 430 model which will run up to 4 lamps ... 12 feet total length. ARO also makes a VHO ballast for a bit less (hellolights has them). And I think that Workhorse may make some. In comparison ... An Advance brand ballast for two 4 foot T5 HO's is about 40 bucks if memory serves ... $50 something for a 4 lamp x 4 foot model. The Icecap ballasts will also drive T5 lamps BTW. Thats what I would do anyway.

07/25/2009, 01:13 PM	#5
KevinYates Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 194	with an internal reflector i really will not need an expensive reflector right? maybe i can just bend a piece of metal at a small angle and mount it onto my lumenmax II sides then mount the vhos on there? this is what im working with here. (super old pic) It seems like my radium is a little brighter than i was hoping, im trying to get some atinic in there to add more color and drown out the crispyness if you know what im trying to get at. might be going to T-5s, due to the bulb life. can anyone reccomend a good retrofit kit with good reflectors and a ballast that could handle up to 3 24w t-5s.

07/25/2009, 09:27 PM	#6
markandkristen Moved On Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Winterhaven, fl Posts: 4,081	i tried to use the t5s actinics a while back tried geisman, ati, current, and another brand ... i had always used vhos... and went back to vhos... vhos have a way of making things pop like you wouldnt believe bulb life in my opinion is a mixed opinion.. some say they can keep t5s for longer but with any actinics t5s or not your going to be replacing sooner than your daylight bulbs in my opinion.. i get around 10-12 months with my vhos..