MH and T5 or VHO or PC?

[XburningempiresX]

i have a 75 gallon tank on its way to reefdom, what i lack now is good lighting. i was going to use 2 250 MH bulbs and ballasts, but i was unsure what to use for Actintics. T5, VHO, or PC? the tank is roughly 48"L x 18"D x 24"T (maybe taller)

so i was thinking of either 2 96w PC, 2 110w VHO, or 4 54w T5 since 1 workhorse 7 can power either combination.

is there any advantages for one over the other as far as light output?

[reefcam]

My perference would be to go with 4 54W T5. I've never usd the 96W PC, but have used the 55W and 60W PC and have to say, death to PC for my setup. If you are looking for intensity, then I would go wtih 4 T5. I have compared 4 110W VHO (which is going to a friend) vs. 4 54W T5, and hands down the T5 looks very clean and bright. I've also kept clams under T5 (Croceas didn't seem to mind it, but Maximas were a bit tempermental).

I'm upgrading my lighting in my prop tank to 16 T5 bulbs. Since I don't have the space for MH lamps, the intensity of the T5 should make up for it. Too early to say, but in a recent test, I colored up a Pink Stylo from brown.

[XburningempiresX]

thanks reefcam,

i eventually want SPS, LPS and some clams..... as well as softies, but i want to make sure i provide for the needs of the demanding corals. i have the room for MH, so i am guessing 2 250w MH and 4 54w T5 would do the trick.

thanks,
Steve

[reefcam]

I like them because they are low profile and put out more light IMO than other bulbs (aside MH). I'll try to do some measurements tonight and with a PAR meter and report back.

I think you would have ample amount of light. The only down side is, the 54W T5 uses the same electricity as a 110W VHO. So you can't take an Ice Cap 660 and run 8 T5 on it. You would think so, but not the case.

I'll take a picture of the new system with lighting to give you a good idea. Keep in mind, the tanks are 12" hight and the lights are low due to shelf space. Not because the lights require it.

Jim

[BuckWheat]

Originally posted by reefcam
. The only down side is, the 54W T5 uses the same electricity as a 110W VHO.

Jim

One watt of power is one watt of power consumptiong regardless of any type bulb!

[reefcam]

Buckwheat,

That's what i thought too. So I e-mail IceCap and they ran some test and are also unsure. Maybe someone with a better understanding of T5 could chime in.

I wanted to run 8 T5 bulbs off my IC 660, since it was able to light 4 x 110W VHO. So you would think that it would be able to handle 8 x 54W T5 HO bulbs.

Jim

[BuckWheat]

No not the case! 54wT5 is made to run on a ballast designed for the T5 to run at that power ratio, OHMS Law, still comes into play, one watt is one watt and can't be any different, what is happing is they are probably either under or over driven on the IC660. I've been an electrical designer for over 15 years trust me.

[BuckWheat]

There must be a difference in the phosphorus or something in the T5 that the electronics in the 660 isn't designer to run. It may drive a few bulbs but probably not the best idea to do that unless it is certified by Ice Cap themselves!

[reefcam]

Thanks Buckwheat.

Well I still like the T5s. The only part I hate about it, is the cost.... **** bulbs are even new to the lighting industry.

[BuckWheat]

hey no gripes here, overseas they have been very popular & claims they out perform VHO's & some aspects of MH but don't believe it all unless test are done, which I haven't seen much of.
T5's are Pc by the way, just different types, depending on the manufacturer that is.

[chewie]

IC says the 660 will run 4' 54w bulbs at about 80w.

Also, the 660 has a maximum lamp length of 16'.

If I ever run out of VHO bulbs I will go T5's for sure!

[chewie]

Originally posted by BuckWheat

T5's are Pc by the way, just different types, depending on the manufacturer that is.

Actually the CSL/Panasonic PC's are T6 bent in half. Catalina brand PC's are T5 bent in half.

[BuckWheat]

Now that sounds about right on both accounts!

[XburningempiresX]

so one workhorse 7 would power 4 T5's @ 54w each or higher?

thanks buckwheat, chewie and reefcam,

Steve

[BuckWheat]

A little more or less shouldn't hurt, as chewie pointed out diameter and length does affect how many you can use safely.