Keep VHOs or make the switch to T5's?

Automag928 · 06/15/2006, 01:58 PM

Well, its time to order new lights...my current setup is 4 x 48" VHOs (2 Actinic White and 2 Super Actinic), along with 2 x 55w PC Actinic 03s...

The 4 VHOs are running on one ballast (not sure of the name offhand, I'll double check when I get home), and then I have the PCs running off of their own ballast, which is what I use for my dusk/dawn light cycle - PCs come on first before the VHOs.

With the reading I've been doing on the T5s regarding enery/heat savings, not to mention bulb life and cost, I am seriously considering switching....Give me some advice on what I should do! Here's the current look of the tank -

B33FST3W · 06/15/2006, 02:31 PM

i would try the t-5s, and even if you dont like them you could sell them on here and get most of your money back. if you do like them then you will save on your energy bill and save one the cost of new lights for it so they will pay for themselves.

Automag928 · 06/15/2006, 02:39 PM

My other option would be to go with new ballasts and everything with some MH's...Only 2 things bother me about MH's; the height of the lights off the water, and the heat they put off...

horkn · 06/15/2006, 09:19 PM

go t5ho. you will not be disappointed

6x54 on that 90g will do quite well.

Automag928 · 06/17/2006, 08:50 AM

Ok - I double checked - I have an IceCap A4 ballast running 1 Super Actinic, and 3 Actinic White VHOs, plus then the 2 55w PC actinic 03s with a workhorse 3 powering each 55 watter...Should I ditch all of what I have now for t5s?? Keep in mind would like to keep costs down, i.e. not have to buy anymore ballasts if possible. Thanks

The Grim Reefer · 06/17/2006, 09:22 AM

I'd go with the T5's but unfortunatly none of your current equipment translates over. You might try holding out for VHO T6. The lamps would slip right into your current VHO system and there will be reflectors. Those lamps should be out in the next couple months.

jay357 · 06/17/2006, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
I'd go with the T5's but unfortunatly none of your current equipment translates over. You might try holding out for VHO T6. The lamps would slip right into your current VHO system and there will be reflectors. Those lamps should be out in the next couple months.

And here I JUST ordered new VHO 2 days ago....are the new VHOs going to need new ballasts?

Jay

Automag928 · 06/17/2006, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
I'd go with the T5's but unfortunatly none of your current equipment translates over. You might try holding out for VHO T6. The lamps would slip right into your current VHO system and there will be reflectors. Those lamps should be out in the next couple months.

So I would be able to use my current A4 ballast with the new T6s? I'm going to have to do some searching, this is the first I've heard of a T6! Thanks

horkn · 06/17/2006, 11:14 AM

yes, the A4 will power t6. but the a4 will not work on t5ho. t6 have been out for a little while, and they make them in shorter than 2 foot bulbs unlike t5ho...

The Grim Reefer · 06/17/2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Automag928
So I would be able to use my current A4 ballast with the new T6s? I'm going to have to do some searching, this is the first I've heard of a T6! Thanks

I don't think the VHO T6 is out yet. Of course you can just overdrive the NO T6 until then

. You can use a T5 reflector on them but there is going to be one designed just for T6. Not sure if it will be any better than a T5 reflector. You just have to spread out the lamp clip a little to get it on a T6. I imagine the plastic clips Ice Cap includes that some say are a little loose on a T5 would work too.

PM me so I don't forget you and I'll see if I can get a for sure release date on the VHO T6.

yamaha racer · 06/17/2006, 05:06 PM

what are the new t6? are they supposed to be better than the t-5's?

The Grim Reefer · 06/17/2006, 05:13 PM

Not really better. They run the same wattage as T12 VHO's but they are small enough to still add a parabolic reflector. For someone with a current VHO system the advantage is you can use the same ballast and endcaps (There is a rubber gromet that can be added at the ends so the endcaps retain their moisture resistancy) and they are the same length as the standard length VHO's. A simple upgrade.

yamaha racer · 06/17/2006, 10:17 PM

okay thanks. i just wanted 2 know

DeLiBoY · 06/20/2006, 09:40 AM

T6?? Can't find any info on them. Did a google search. Nothing.

swashbuckler · 06/20/2006, 09:56 AM

quantum aquatics makes t-6 bulbs called "lightning rods" which are just thinner NO bulbs from the t-12's and t-8's.

that being said, they are "ok" nothing special about them at all and im not impressed at all with their actinic bulbs. fired up next to a zoomed actinic t-8, the thicker t-8 had much better color than the t-6.

The Grim Reefer · 06/20/2006, 10:19 AM

Dont confuse the Lightning Rods with VHO T6. It will probably be a bit before these are on the market but they have supposedly been shipped.

06/15/2006, 01:58 PM	#1
Automag928 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 104	Keep VHOs or make the switch to T5's? Well, its time to order new lights...my current setup is 4 x 48" VHOs (2 Actinic White and 2 Super Actinic), along with 2 x 55w PC Actinic 03s... The 4 VHOs are running on one ballast (not sure of the name offhand, I'll double check when I get home), and then I have the PCs running off of their own ballast, which is what I use for my dusk/dawn light cycle - PCs come on first before the VHOs. With the reading I've been doing on the T5s regarding enery/heat savings, not to mention bulb life and cost, I am seriously considering switching....Give me some advice on what I should do! Here's the current look of the tank -

06/15/2006, 09:19 PM	#4
horkn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: milwaukee wisconsin Posts: 4,125	go t5ho. you will not be disappointed 6x54 on that 90g will do quite well. __________________ 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

06/17/2006, 09:22 AM	#6
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	I'd go with the T5's but unfortunatly none of your current equipment translates over. You might try holding out for VHO T6. The lamps would slip right into your current VHO system and there will be reflectors. Those lamps should be out in the next couple months. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

06/17/2006, 11:14 AM	#9
horkn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: milwaukee wisconsin Posts: 4,125	yes, the A4 will power t6. but the a4 will not work on t5ho. t6 have been out for a little while, and they make them in shorter than 2 foot bulbs unlike t5ho... __________________ 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

06/17/2006, 05:13 PM	#12
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Not really better. They run the same wattage as T12 VHO's but they are small enough to still add a parabolic reflector. For someone with a current VHO system the advantage is you can use the same ballast and endcaps (There is a rubber gromet that can be added at the ends so the endcaps retain their moisture resistancy) and they are the same length as the standard length VHO's. A simple upgrade. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

06/15/2006, 02:31 PM	#2
B33FST3W Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 173	i would try the t-5s, and even if you dont like them you could sell them on here and get most of your money back. if you do like them then you will save on your energy bill and save one the cost of new lights for it so they will pay for themselves.

06/15/2006, 02:39 PM	#3
Automag928 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 104	My other option would be to go with new ballasts and everything with some MH's...Only 2 things bother me about MH's; the height of the lights off the water, and the heat they put off...

06/17/2006, 08:50 AM	#5
Automag928 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 104	Ok - I double checked - I have an IceCap A4 ballast running 1 Super Actinic, and 3 Actinic White VHOs, plus then the 2 55w PC actinic 03s with a workhorse 3 powering each 55 watter...Should I ditch all of what I have now for t5s?? Keep in mind would like to keep costs down, i.e. not have to buy anymore ballasts if possible. Thanks

06/17/2006, 05:06 PM	#11
yamaha racer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gypsy Posts: 1,131	what are the new t6? are they supposed to be better than the t-5's?

06/17/2006, 10:17 PM	#13
yamaha racer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gypsy Posts: 1,131	okay thanks. i just wanted 2 know

06/20/2006, 09:40 AM	#14
DeLiBoY Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 286	T6?? Can't find any info on them. Did a google search. Nothing.

06/20/2006, 09:56 AM	#15
swashbuckler Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central VA Posts: 1,726	quantum aquatics makes t-6 bulbs called "lightning rods" which are just thinner NO bulbs from the t-12's and t-8's. that being said, they are "ok" nothing special about them at all and im not impressed at all with their actinic bulbs. fired up next to a zoomed actinic t-8, the thicker t-8 had much better color than the t-6. __________________ "Der Guten Tag Hop-Clop" -The Producers Current Tank Info: 40breeder, 150W AquaMedic Oceanlight, 190W VHO Superactinics, AquaC Remora, 5 gallon fuge.

06/20/2006, 10:19 AM	#16
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Dont confuse the Lightning Rods with VHO T6. It will probably be a bit before these are on the market but they have supposedly been shipped. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting