VHO & T5 Lighting vs. Power Compact Lighting

Bghost · 02/23/2006, 04:34 AM

I was wondering, are VHO & T5 Lighting more powerful than Power Compacts per wattage? I mean which one is better, and why?

Bghost · 02/23/2006, 04:36 AM

Also which one would be better for a mushroom / soft coral tank?

pvtschultz · 02/23/2006, 06:36 AM

I say yes. VHOs and T5 HO lights do not block the light that they produce. A PC is wrapped back onto its self effectively blocking or reducing almost 40% of its light. T5 and VHO you can get almost all of the useful light out of them and put it to good use. Heck, you can keep most SPS corals under VHOs and T5 HO lighting.

fish1219 · 02/23/2006, 06:41 AM

I agree the T5 HOs and VHOs are better than Power Compact. The power compact is like a T5 but with the T5 you are able to add a SLR (Single Lamp Reflector) to direct all of the light into the tank. I nevery had power compacts but have used VHOs and T5 HOs. I using the T5's for my daylight (11k) bulbs and VHOs for my Atinics (URI makes the best atinic lighting and they currently do not offer it in a T5 format).

Bghost · 02/23/2006, 08:50 AM

Hmmm interesting.... so if I was to add an reflector to my Power Compacts.... could the power compacts work just as well as VHO's and T5 HO's?

Bghost · 02/23/2006, 08:53 AM

Basically can a Power Compact be retrofitted to work just as well as VHO's and T5 HO lighting?

horkn · 02/23/2006, 09:03 AM

no, the way the PC bulbs fold up onto themselves doesnt allow it to be as efficient as t5ho.

and t5ho has way more PAR than vho....

fish, uri is no more, but apparently in the next month, UV lighting Co (URIs new name) will have t5ho super actinic bulbs, and others that are as good if not better than the super actinic vho they made.

there are 3 brands of commonly available good t5ho reflectors.

tek, icecap, and aqualux Computer Designed Reflectors
of those the aqualux and the IC are way better as far as reflecting light into the tank than the tek, but the tek is no slouch either...

dvanacker · 02/23/2006, 09:51 AM

T5HO(with reflectors), VHO and then PC in terms of PAR and lumens that are able to reach the tank.

No retrofit or reflector on VHO (impracticle because of the size) or PC (bad design all around) will change this.

FYI.. UV/URI is coming out with a T5 line so hopefully you will soon be able to get the nice actinic you like in the T5 version.

horkn · 02/23/2006, 12:38 PM

then there is t6 out as well.

the aqualux reflectors fit on those right away.

talk about confusing

i really doubt t6 will get as popular as t5ho. the stores are very reluctant about t5ho in the first place, then try to convince them about t6?

but then again, who uses LFS word as gospel. i sure dont

Bghost · 02/24/2006, 12:40 AM

Yeah very confusing. LOL. I've notice not too many LFS carry T5's. That's why I went with the PC. I didn't want to order on-line everytime I wanted to replace the bulbs.

Bghost · 02/24/2006, 12:43 AM

So what I'm getting from this thread T5's are pretty much the champions when it comes to flourescent lighting, but I wondering why not too many LFS carry them?

Bghost · 02/24/2006, 12:51 AM

Now I'm feeling kind of foolish for not going for the T5 lighting. I mean on my tank right now I only have one 54 watt T5 strip on my 75 gal. Aquarium. I wanted to "upgrade" my lighting, so I saw this deal on-line for some 260 watt retrofit Coralife Aqualights.

Bghost · 02/24/2006, 12:51 AM

I figured I'll go for it because that would roughly give me about 3.4 watts per gal. That should be enough for some mushroom and soft corals. Plus you don't see too many LFS with T5 replacement bulbs.

Bghost · 02/24/2006, 12:53 AM

Do you guys think I made a mistake in going for the PC lights, instead of the T5 HO lighting?

speedracer02 · 02/24/2006, 12:38 PM

^

dvanacker · 02/24/2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bghost
So what I'm getting from this thread T5's are pretty much the champions when it comes to flourescent lighting, but I wondering why not too many LFS carry them?

Because the LFS is trying to sell their old and outdated stock. There are warehouses full of PC lights....what do you think they are going to do with them. That's why things are slowly faded out when a new and better technology comes out.

Bghost · 02/26/2006, 04:08 PM

Hmmm that is true.... they should do a liquidation sale to get rid of all the pc lights and out dated technology. LOL.

reelfreak · 02/26/2006, 04:13 PM

My new Tek T5 fixture blows away my old PC lighting....there's NO comparison.....I too am looking forward to the new actinics coming out.

Bghost · 02/26/2006, 04:19 PM

Man... I guess I did jump the gun. I'll deal with the PC lighting for now, then I guess next year around this time I'll go for the T5 lighting.

Bghost · 02/26/2006, 04:44 PM

Hopefully about that time, most LFS would carry replacement bulbs for the T5 lighting systems, without having to special order them.

AIMFish · 02/26/2006, 04:59 PM

I have PC and I'm looking into switching to t5ho later also. Oh and there is an edit button in the top line of every post if within the next minute, or even hour you decide to add something

Bghost · 02/26/2006, 05:11 PM

Huh... I know about the edit button, but thanks anyway I think.

Bghost · 02/26/2006, 06:22 PM

Did I do something wrong AIMFish?

landragon · 02/26/2006, 08:25 PM

Just a possible explanation, and not meant as insinuation or criticism, but some people feel it is best to add to your reply through "edit" instead of re-replying . It tends to keep things tidier.

Bghost · 02/27/2006, 03:01 PM

Oh I see. No offense taken. I really thought I misspelled something wrong, or said something wrong. Just the first time anyone has said anything about someone posting a few times to me. I'll try to keep my comments compact for now on.

02/23/2006, 04:34 AM	#1
Bghost Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 147	VHO & T5 Lighting vs. Power Compact Lighting I was wondering, are VHO & T5 Lighting more powerful than Power Compacts per wattage? I mean which one is better, and why?

02/23/2006, 09:03 AM	#7
horkn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: milwaukee wisconsin Posts: 4,125	no, the way the PC bulbs fold up onto themselves doesnt allow it to be as efficient as t5ho. and t5ho has way more PAR than vho.... fish, uri is no more, but apparently in the next month, UV lighting Co (URIs new name) will have t5ho super actinic bulbs, and others that are as good if not better than the super actinic vho they made. there are 3 brands of commonly available good t5ho reflectors. tek, icecap, and aqualux Computer Designed Reflectors of those the aqualux and the IC are way better as far as reflecting light into the tank than the tek, but the tek is no slouch either... __________________ 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

02/23/2006, 09:51 AM	#8
dvanacker DID I SOUNDS SMRT?? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ontario, CAN Posts: 3,690	T5HO(with reflectors), VHO and then PC in terms of PAR and lumens that are able to reach the tank. No retrofit or reflector on VHO (impracticle because of the size) or PC (bad design all around) will change this. FYI.. UV/URI is coming out with a T5 line so hopefully you will soon be able to get the nice actinic you like in the T5 version. __________________ --DARRYL-- Current Tank Info: 200g SPS dominant Mixed Reef

02/23/2006, 12:38 PM	#9
horkn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: milwaukee wisconsin Posts: 4,125	then there is t6 out as well. the aqualux reflectors fit on those right away. talk about confusing i really doubt t6 will get as popular as t5ho. the stores are very reluctant about t5ho in the first place, then try to convince them about t6? but then again, who uses LFS word as gospel. i sure dont __________________ 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

02/24/2006, 12:38 PM	#15
speedracer02 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Auburn Alabama Posts: 50	^ __________________ "If your expecting a kick in the balls and instead get slapped in the face, then its a victory." Current Tank Info: It's coming along nicely.

02/23/2006, 04:36 AM	#2
Bghost Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 147	Also which one would be better for a mushroom / soft coral tank?

02/23/2006, 06:36 AM	#3
pvtschultz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New Berlin , WI Posts: 1,247	I say yes. VHOs and T5 HO lights do not block the light that they produce. A PC is wrapped back onto its self effectively blocking or reducing almost 40% of its light. T5 and VHO you can get almost all of the useful light out of them and put it to good use. Heck, you can keep most SPS corals under VHOs and T5 HO lighting.

02/23/2006, 06:41 AM	#4
fish1219 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vestal, NY Posts: 378	I agree the T5 HOs and VHOs are better than Power Compact. The power compact is like a T5 but with the T5 you are able to add a SLR (Single Lamp Reflector) to direct all of the light into the tank. I nevery had power compacts but have used VHOs and T5 HOs. I using the T5's for my daylight (11k) bulbs and VHOs for my Atinics (URI makes the best atinic lighting and they currently do not offer it in a T5 format).

02/23/2006, 08:50 AM	#5
Bghost Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 147	Hmmm interesting.... so if I was to add an reflector to my Power Compacts.... could the power compacts work just as well as VHO's and T5 HO's?

02/23/2006, 08:53 AM	#6
Bghost Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 147	Basically can a Power Compact be retrofitted to work just as well as VHO's and T5 HO lighting?

02/24/2006, 12:40 AM	#10
Bghost Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 147	Yeah very confusing. LOL. I've notice not too many LFS carry T5's. That's why I went with the PC. I didn't want to order on-line everytime I wanted to replace the bulbs.

02/24/2006, 12:43 AM	#11
Bghost Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 147	So what I'm getting from this thread T5's are pretty much the champions when it comes to flourescent lighting, but I wondering why not too many LFS carry them?

02/24/2006, 12:51 AM	#12
Bghost Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 147	Now I'm feeling kind of foolish for not going for the T5 lighting. I mean on my tank right now I only have one 54 watt T5 strip on my 75 gal. Aquarium. I wanted to "upgrade" my lighting, so I saw this deal on-line for some 260 watt retrofit Coralife Aqualights.

02/24/2006, 12:53 AM	#14
Bghost Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 147	Do you guys think I made a mistake in going for the PC lights, instead of the T5 HO lighting?

02/26/2006, 04:08 PM	#17
Bghost Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 147	Hmmm that is true.... they should do a liquidation sale to get rid of all the pc lights and out dated technology. LOL.

02/26/2006, 04:13 PM	#18
reelfreak Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Atlantic Beach , Florida Posts: 1,096	My new Tek T5 fixture blows away my old PC lighting....there's NO comparison.....I too am looking forward to the new actinics coming out. __________________ From the forest itself, comes the handle for the axe Current Tank Info: 125g / 6x80 T5s 90w LED Hybrid DIY, Apex, WAVs,Skimz SM161,Tunze Osmolator

02/26/2006, 04:19 PM	#19
Bghost Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 147	Man... I guess I did jump the gun. I'll deal with the PC lighting for now, then I guess next year around this time I'll go for the T5 lighting.

02/26/2006, 04:44 PM	#20
Bghost Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 147	Hopefully about that time, most LFS would carry replacement bulbs for the T5 lighting systems, without having to special order them. Last edited by Bghost; 02/26/2006 at 05:04 PM.

02/26/2006, 04:59 PM	#21
AIMFish Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Marion,IN Posts: 1,129	I have PC and I'm looking into switching to t5ho later also. Oh and there is an edit button in the top line of every post if within the next minute, or even hour you decide to add something

02/26/2006, 05:11 PM	#22
Bghost Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 147	Huh... I know about the edit button, but thanks anyway I think.

02/26/2006, 06:22 PM	#23
Bghost Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 147	Did I do something wrong AIMFish?

02/26/2006, 08:25 PM	#24
landragon Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 892	Just a possible explanation, and not meant as insinuation or criticism, but some people feel it is best to add to your reply through "edit" instead of re-replying . It tends to keep things tidier. __________________ "Experience is the only tool we aren't born with." Unknown

02/27/2006, 03:01 PM	#25
Bghost Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 147	Oh I see. No offense taken. I really thought I misspelled something wrong, or said something wrong. Just the first time anyone has said anything about someone posting a few times to me. I'll try to keep my comments compact for now on.