MH supplemented by T-5

Big E · 04/11/2003, 11:54 AM

I was at a fellow reefers recently & when I got home to view my tank I was shocked at how dark it looked from my Radiums. So I'd like to give it a bit more punch. I have a couple of 175mh I could put in there, but there's not that much room & I really don't want the added heat.

I was considering the T-5 6500k bulbs. I've scanned quit a few threads on the T-5's, but just wanted to clarify a few things. From what I gather these don't perform as well when hot, so do I need to keep these completely away from my MH? Does anyone have these in the same hood with MH's?

I know I could go with VHO also, but I was interested in the 65k temp. Not sure if VHO has a bulb that is similar. Does VHO suffer from the same heat deficiencies that T-5's do?

Any thoughts opinions are welcome.............thanks

Bruddah Chrispy · 04/11/2003, 01:16 PM

I was planning on supplementing my 2x250w Ushio 10kks with a couple of T-5 Actinics, so I'm interested in the responses you get.

slipknottin · 04/11/2003, 01:59 PM

T5s have a pretty high running temp. Theyll be fine near a MH bulb.

moonpod · 04/11/2003, 03:49 PM

in general, fluorescents get less effecient in terms of light production as they get too hot. the light produced falls off, the bulb cools light production icreases until a balance is acheived. That being said, T5's per se have a higher running temp then say a VHO cause it's a similar quantity of light coming out of a smaller surface area. Makes sense right? MH on the other hand, if you keep the bulbs too cool will actually color shift--not desirable. I highly doubt that you'll have a significant problem w/this issue using T5 supplementation though you're the first I've heard of thinking of supplementing 20ks w/daylight T5s. In Europe quite a few of the newer fixtures have HQI and T5 combos.

moonpod · 04/11/2003, 05:42 PM

For example:
http://www.sewatec.de/product_info.php/products_id/1186

Big E · 04/12/2003, 04:52 AM

Okay, so basically as long as I keep the usual ventilation inside the hood the T-5 shouldn't overheat? I think I read in one of the threads it shouldn't get above 35C. I'm going to put a temp probe in my hood & see what the temp is mid-day.

My hood is similar to those advertised in that link. Only difference is that I've got the 400w MH. It's quite compact & the T-5's will be very close to the MH's.

I'm not sure what that combo will do but it's more for viewing than anything else. I thought it would be fun to experiment.

peanut95 · 11/24/2007, 05:25 PM

WOW... T5s way back in the day.

04/11/2003, 11:54 AM	#1
Big E Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: South Euclid, OH Posts: 4,281	MH supplemented by T-5 I was at a fellow reefers recently & when I got home to view my tank I was shocked at how dark it looked from my Radiums. So I'd like to give it a bit more punch. I have a couple of 175mh I could put in there, but there's not that much room & I really don't want the added heat. I was considering the T-5 6500k bulbs. I've scanned quit a few threads on the T-5's, but just wanted to clarify a few things. From what I gather these don't perform as well when hot, so do I need to keep these completely away from my MH? Does anyone have these in the same hood with MH's? I know I could go with VHO also, but I was interested in the 65k temp. Not sure if VHO has a bulb that is similar. Does VHO suffer from the same heat deficiencies that T-5's do? Any thoughts opinions are welcome.............thanks __________________ 80g Rimless Acropora System reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2197142&page=31 Ed

04/11/2003, 01:16 PM	#2
Bruddah Chrispy Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 730	tagging along I was planning on supplementing my 2x250w Ushio 10kks with a couple of T-5 Actinics, so I'm interested in the responses you get. __________________ Aloha a hui hou, Chris P. "Life is painful; suffering is optional." Current Tank Info: 55G tank. 20G sump. 2x250w MH 10kK. 2x110w VHO Actinic, DIY Stand/Canopy (in gallery). 40g TBS pkg. Ocellaris, Royal Gramma, PJ Cardinal, PomPom Xenia, Finger Leather, GSP, Kenya Trees, Mont. Cap., Hawaiian Feather Duster.

04/12/2003, 04:52 AM	#6
Big E Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: South Euclid, OH Posts: 4,281	Okay, so basically as long as I keep the usual ventilation inside the hood the T-5 shouldn't overheat? I think I read in one of the threads it shouldn't get above 35C. I'm going to put a temp probe in my hood & see what the temp is mid-day. My hood is similar to those advertised in that link. Only difference is that I've got the 400w MH. It's quite compact & the T-5's will be very close to the MH's. I'm not sure what that combo will do but it's more for viewing than anything else. I thought it would be fun to experiment. __________________ 80g Rimless Acropora System reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2197142&page=31 Ed

04/11/2003, 01:59 PM	#3
slipknottin Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: New Britain, CT, USA Posts: 2,445	T5s have a pretty high running temp. Theyll be fine near a MH bulb.

04/11/2003, 03:49 PM	#4
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	in general, fluorescents get less effecient in terms of light production as they get too hot. the light produced falls off, the bulb cools light production icreases until a balance is acheived. That being said, T5's per se have a higher running temp then say a VHO cause it's a similar quantity of light coming out of a smaller surface area. Makes sense right? MH on the other hand, if you keep the bulbs too cool will actually color shift--not desirable. I highly doubt that you'll have a significant problem w/this issue using T5 supplementation though you're the first I've heard of thinking of supplementing 20ks w/daylight T5s. In Europe quite a few of the newer fixtures have HQI and T5 combos.

04/11/2003, 05:42 PM	#5
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	For example: http://www.sewatec.de/product_info.php/products_id/1186

11/24/2007, 05:25 PM	#7
peanut95 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 150	WOW... T5s way back in the day.