"Theoretical" lighting system...input/thoughts...

[PaintGuru]

Ok so I want to run this by my fellow reefers to see if there is a market for an idea of mine to use a certain lighting technology in the reef lighting area. Here is what I am proposing:

A system using fluorescent VHO lamps that can run basically any number of lamps that you want, only limited by space for the actual bulbs. Lamps will last ~4 years (assuming 10 hrs/day running) with little/no degradation in spectrum or intensity. You can mix and match lamps as you like. Lamps will produce little/no heat. Lamp fixture will be very light in weight (weighing just what the lamps and Aluminum frame weigh) and all the power/electronics will be contained in a remote "ballast" like device. Lamps will be more intense than standard VHO lamps run off of magnetic ballasts.

My question to everyone is if this was available to you as a reef tank consumer, would you buy this over MH? Over PC/standard VHO? Would you be willing to fork out extra money up front for savings on replacement bulb costs? Right now I'm just running ideas through my head.

[mapster]

If such technology were to present itself and the proper steps were taken to prove the claims, I would most definitely replace my standard VHO's for this system. As for replacing MH's, unless this system could somehow produce the light penatration ability of halides, I dont think I would switch.

[Stang69]

BUlbs lasting 4 years would be great. I would maybe make the switch depending on price and how it worked out with replacement costs verses the initial cost of switching




Jeff

[mjsandbe]

I love the idea mainly for the longer VHO life. I would want some proof on the extended life though. Figure I spend almost $100 a year on VHO bulbs.

[PaintGuru]

Yeah I figured the big selling point would be the extended bulb life. Secondary would be the reduced heat and the ability to cram in as many bulbs as you wanted. I know some people swear by VHO, but I'm just curious if the market is big enough for me to actually try and figure out how to pitch this to a light manufacturer.

[mjsandbe]

I had heard a net rumor that VHO bulbs(T12s) were no longer going to be manufactured. I am not sure if this is true or not. If you could prototype these lights and show that you could get MH like growth and color out of acros I think people would pay for it. I do not think head it that important of an issue for VHO, they are not that hot to begin with. Now if you could make low heat MH bulbs, .... people would be throwing money at you