Supplemental Lighting. PC vs VHO

Ruskin · 08/28/2007, 10:27 AM

I'm sure this comes up a lot so I'm sorry if this annoy's anyone.

Im going to be ordering a MH lighting system and I'm not sure what to go with for supplemental lighting. I know the differences between the two(PC/VHO), but do those differences matter when it comes to supplemental lighting vs full lighting? Are people just choosing what they think looks nicer?

incase it matters the tank is 4x2x2 w/ 2-250W MH.

Thanks,
Matt

ccoral · 08/28/2007, 10:47 AM

use HO T-5

Ruskin · 08/28/2007, 10:54 AM

can you explain why you recommend that?

ccoral · 08/28/2007, 11:00 AM

T-5 will give more lux/par per watt of enery used. Also most t-5 now come with parabolic reflectors that will give you up to 30% more light. Most PC and VHO have old school reflectors. I am using these in the super blue color 460nm light
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...ry_Code=Helios

grigsy · 08/28/2007, 11:04 AM

I use MH + 96W PC and find it to be a good combination.

davocean · 08/28/2007, 11:22 AM

T5 is much better than PC, you'll have more options as to livestock you can keep w/ them.
As stated, better PAR.

gws3 · 08/28/2007, 12:40 PM

Please do a search on VHO actinic supplementation. While T5 will be much more efficient than VHO, most people prefer the look of VHO actinics. For anything other than actinic supplementation T5 is typically preferred. Also, don't forget you can run a mixture of T5s and VHOs on an Ice Cap 660 if you want the best of both.

RichConley · 08/28/2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ccoral
T-5 will give more lux/par per watt of enery used. Also most t-5 now come with parabolic reflectors that will give you up to 30% more light.

Up to 30%? Try up to 300%.

Sheet reflectors give you less than 30% of the light the bulb is producing. Parabolics give almost 100%.

vegaskid11 · 08/28/2007, 01:54 PM

I am using MH, T5 white and VHO super actinics. With MH you dont really need supplemental lighting unless you want it for looks or sunrise/sunset sim.

08/28/2007, 10:27 AM	#1
Ruskin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 373	Supplemental Lighting. PC vs VHO I'm sure this comes up a lot so I'm sorry if this annoy's anyone. Im going to be ordering a MH lighting system and I'm not sure what to go with for supplemental lighting. I know the differences between the two(PC/VHO), but do those differences matter when it comes to supplemental lighting vs full lighting? Are people just choosing what they think looks nicer? incase it matters the tank is 4x2x2 w/ 2-250W MH. Thanks, Matt

08/28/2007, 11:22 AM	#6
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	T5 is much better than PC, you'll have more options as to livestock you can keep w/ them. As stated, better PAR. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

08/28/2007, 10:47 AM	#2
ccoral Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 468	use HO T-5

08/28/2007, 10:54 AM	#3
Ruskin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 373	can you explain why you recommend that?

08/28/2007, 11:00 AM	#4
ccoral Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 468	T-5 will give more lux/par per watt of enery used. Also most t-5 now come with parabolic reflectors that will give you up to 30% more light. Most PC and VHO have old school reflectors. I am using these in the super blue color 460nm light http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...ry_Code=Helios

08/28/2007, 11:04 AM	#5
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	I use MH + 96W PC and find it to be a good combination.

08/28/2007, 12:40 PM	#7
gws3 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Towson, MD Posts: 86	Please do a search on VHO actinic supplementation. While T5 will be much more efficient than VHO, most people prefer the look of VHO actinics. For anything other than actinic supplementation T5 is typically preferred. Also, don't forget you can run a mixture of T5s and VHOs on an Ice Cap 660 if you want the best of both.

08/28/2007, 01:54 PM	#9
vegaskid11 vegasreefers.com Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 742	I am using MH, T5 white and VHO super actinics. With MH you dont really need supplemental lighting unless you want it for looks or sunrise/sunset sim.