|
|
|
12/08/2007, 12:31 PM
|
#1 |
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 527
|
New T5 High Output
I need to get some new bulbs. What is the best type and best place to buy them online? I currently have the Current bulbs and have been happy with them. I saw a VHO T5 bulb, would that give me more light or even work with my balast? I have the Current Nova Extreme fixture.
__________________
Current Tank- 90 Gallon mixed reef, 20 Gallon Sump. Evergrow WiFi Black boxes, JBJ ATO, TLF Reactor w/GFO, Reef Octopus NWB110 Skimmer. Coral- Red Lobo, Orange Blast Acan, Frogspawn, Hammer, War, Ac |
|
|
|
12/08/2007, 02:52 PM
|
#2 |
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,515
|
The V-HO T5 bulbs are supposed to handle being run at higher wattages produced by ballasts like the Icecap ballasts better than the regular HO T5's.
For example, 48" T5 (HO) = 54 watt ... runs 80 watts on an IceCap ballast. The V-HO T5 is supposed to be made to handle the 80 watts and last longer than the standard HO T5 ... That most places dont bother to sell them probably speaks to whether they are really that much different/better than the regular HO T5's. Anyway, it wont give you more light without the VHO ballast. Better bulbs than the stock Current bulbs are made by comanies like: ATI Giesemann UVL KZ So check reefgeek.com, DIYreef.com, Hellolights.com ... and other RC sponsors for those brands. They have higher par ratings than the current usa bulbs and will be brighter in your fixture because they are made with better components and better phosphors. BTW ... UVL still makes the highest PAR Super Actinic (420nm) T5 lamps so if you are looking for the true or pure or super actinic T5's, UVL brand is probably the best bet. For comparison to what you have now ... Current USA 460nm is like the ATI Blue Plus Current USA 420nm is like the UVL Super Actinic Current USA 10000K daylight is like the UVL Aquasun ... but the Current USA bulbs do not have the par (not as bright) as the better bulbs. The color is also better than the Current usa bulbs. Good luck |
|
|
|
|
12/09/2007, 12:29 AM
|
#3 |
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Clarksville
Posts: 86
|
I bought my bulbs from Reefgeek.com.Great customer support,good prices.I prefer the UV and ATI bulbs the best because of the PAR.
__________________
Dominick --------------------------------------------------- Current 214g. and IM 24g.Soon to be Reef Savvy 80g. Current Tank Info: 214g/IM 24g/soon to be Reef Savvy 80g. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
