[Japonicus]

I'm looking at 2 different 60" lights Both have 2 175w halides
One with 4 60" T5 HO lamps for a total of 320w flourescents
and high polish reflectors $800-900

The other has 2 140 T12 VHO totalling 280w flourescents
this unit has a bright white reflector and the bulbs are cheaper
to replace when time comes unit is cheaper at $467

I know for sure the 1st, the Hamilton Cebu Sun is made in USA
The VHO one is Captive Sun and possibly only one ballast for halides.

Which unit would cause the most heat???

 

[wharyat]

Depends on the cooling system on either, but the T5's will produce more heat... Conservation of energy -- watts in = watts out - in heat and radiation (which will also degrade to heat).

I still suggest the T5 fixture though.

 

[Loverotties]

T5HOs and the bulbs last twice as long too.

 

[Nate_Bro]

T5HOs and the bulbs last twice as long too.

+1 and +1 ^^

 

[Loverotties]

Nate my nick name for you is +1.

 

[Japonicus]

Good point.
All I know is they both have 2 cooling fans.
I'm sure design has more to do with it than just 2 fans.
Both have remote halide ballasts.
Have to pick your brain though, why would you still go with T5's?

My concern is (I think) mostly with heat. My home gets up to 82F
and my 1/4 hp chiller has bit the dust. Last year I put a fan on the
tank with excellect results. Now I have an acrylic tank with less open
area at top for a fan to help. And nowhere to mount it.
With the Captive Sun, I can afford it at the moment. The Hamilton
would have to wait a while. But the stand and sump aren't built yet.
No rush, but ...dollars saved??? Heat saved??

with sh/h at 12 months the 4 HO's will cost me roughly $150
" " 9 months the 2 VHO's will run $75
these are the minimum months of bulb life according to Marinedepot.com

 

[Nate_Bro]

I'm +1

 

[Nate_Bro]

Good point.
All I know is they both have 2 cooling fans.
I'm sure design has more to do with it than just 2 fans.
Both have remote halide ballasts.
Have to pick your brain though, why would you still go with T5's?

My concern is (I think) mostly with heat. My home gets up to 82F
and my 1/4 hp chiller has bit the dust. Last year I put a fan on the
tank with excellect results. Now I have an acrylic tank with less open
area at top for a fan to help. And nowhere to mount it.
With the Captive Sun, I can afford it at the moment. The Hamilton
would have to wait a while. But the stand and sump aren't built yet.
No rush, but ...dollars saved??? Heat saved??

with sh/h at 12 months the 4 HO's will cost me roughly $150
" " 9 months the 2 VHO's will run $75
these are the minimum months of bulb life according to Marinedepot.com

but you also have to think about how long your gunna have the fixture, T5HO are the new thing, and they have great bulbs, and are coming down in price a little with the competition, the T-12 VHO are on there way out IMO for the most part now days...

 

[Japonicus]

Hmm, ur right Mr. +1man, I may not be able to get VHO's in 10 yrs.
+ I really like the high polished reflector, just not the price difference.
Lifereef found it for me delivered for $799, vs $907 at other places, and $880 at an ebay store.

Now for the big question. Halides on an acrylic tank?
BB tomorrow...

 

[Loverotties]

Like I said T5HOs are cheaper because you need two changes of the VHOs to the T5HOs.

 

[wharyat]

T5's for the same reason George stated. Longer usable lifetime, I've seen stated up to 18 months in some cases (without supporting PAR data though ). Another big consideration is the size, 5/8 diameter bulbs are much more of a linear light source and a lot of the light is better able to be directed downward when the fixture has individual parabolic reflectors.

Availability can also be an issue. Demand for VHOs are starting to wane, so the supply is also.


With 5' bulbs you'll be paying a higher shipping fee, unless you find a good supplier that does free s/h. I'd look for a local supplier and check out their prices.

The heat difference really won't be a huge issue. Evaporative cooling can easily deal with it, I would doubt you'd notice a difference between the two.

 

[Nate_Bro]

Like I said T5HOs are cheaper because you need two changes of the VHOs to the T5HOs.

+1

 

[Loverotties]

Lol!

 

[Nate_Bro]

Lol!

just for you George! :wavey:

 

[bigredmachine]

for your reading pleasure. short but sweet on the low-down on flourescent bulbs and technology improvements. VHO? its a shoplight on roids... T5HO? hands down better.

http://www.aquarium-lighting-guide.com/fluorescent-aquarium-lighting

 

[bigredmachine]

hey to add a question for that next question he has on MH on an acrylic tank. since i never had an acrylic but i know what UV does to it, you need some sorta UV filter on acrylic tanks with MH's? i know icecap does but i take em off.

 

[bcrum51]

I heard some where that double ended MH's are the only ones that need UV filter so if you use mogel base lights you dont need it

 

[bigredmachine]

yeah this is interesting to think about considering what UV does to acrylic over time. i used to install uv filters on a/c systems. after a few years i was replacing plastic drainpans that the uv hit. it wasnt pretty.

 

[wharyat]

SE bulbs have the UV shielding built in, that big UV blocking glass envelope surrounding the arc tube.

DE's *generally* do not have as much built in protection and require an exterior UV shield.

 

[Nate_Bro]

true many MH bulbs have two bulbs, the small gas filled arch chamber, and the outer protection/UV filter. not sure, but I believe some double ended MH do have a double tube as well.