Vho or T5???

Tanked · Apr 4, 2010

What would you use on a 40 gallon breeder that is setup for growing frags. I was looking at the icecap retros for t5's and vho's. I was going with the t5's for heat and efficiency but the vho's are twice the output on wattage. Which would be better? They will be overdriven of course from the icecaps.
Thanks for any help.

Troylee · Apr 4, 2010

t5s have more bulb choices and more par with blue+ bulbs...vho's are great for supplementation but i would use the t5s to get some great growth and color on them frags...

mr_X · Apr 4, 2010

you can do the same thing with t-5's that are half the wattage. if you like keeping the electric company rich, use the VHOs.

Just Clownin Around · Apr 4, 2010

for growing frags i would use t5's for supplements to another light vhos blow t5s away, now you really want talk hotness look into leds

Tanked · Apr 5, 2010

Thanks everyone, I kinda figured t5 I just wanted the extra nudge. I am split between 2 different lights. The first is a icecap retro 4x39watt and the second is a nova extreme 6x39 watt, which would yall go with? I was thinking the icecap cause the bulbs overdriven claim to be 60 watts but the nova has more bulb combos.

Troylee · Apr 5, 2010

Either one would work very well I would go with what's cheaper.... I think the ice cap would be far better but maybe to much on such a small tank... T5s are all about reflectors and icecap has prolly the best.. Nova extreme doesn't use ind. Reflectors so it's kind of a draw with the extra bulbs to make it up but is more than enough for what you want... If that makes sense... Your also gonna get better coverage with the nova since there is more bulbs...

Tanked · Apr 5, 2010

They say indivdual reflectors or should I say Individually contoured reflectors for maximum light intensity. So would it be better for the icecap? The reflectors are that much better for output?

Steven Pro · Apr 6, 2010

Tanked said:
What would you use on a 40 gallon breeder that is setup for growing frags. I was looking at the icecap retros for t5's and vho's. I was going with the t5's for heat and efficiency but the vho's are twice the output on wattage. Which would be better? They will be overdriven of course from the icecaps.
Thanks for any help.

Watts is just how much electricity you are using, not how much light you are getting out of them. Take a look at some testing I did on a VHO to T5 conversion I did for my buddy Chris.

Converting a T12-VHO setup to T5-HO - Blogs - Reef Addicts

Bandomo · Apr 11, 2010

Hey Steven,
any news on the 36" T5 Reef Illumination, I heard it was going to be released in late Feb.

I too would like advice on a T5 fixture for a 50 Breeder, same dim as a 40 just 2" taller. I'm between a 4 x 36" bulb combo or a 6 x 24" combo. I've heard many reefers bleaching/having difficulties with coral placement using the 6 x 36" combo, would I have this propblem using 4 x 36" bulbs?

Hope this wasn't to much of a hijack Tanked, i'm in the same boat and figured it would be an appropriate thread for advice.

Thanks

mr_X · Apr 11, 2010

what corals were bleaching? lps?
i have a pair of 8 x 54 watt fixtures over a 17" deep tank and my sps never looked better. after the transition from my old halide lighting to the new t-5 lighting, the lps settled in and also enjoy the stronger light.
i don't think i would go with either of your choices bandomo. i would go with a 6 x 39 watt at least.

Steven Pro · Apr 12, 2010

Bandomo said:
Hey Steven,
any news on the 36" T5 Reef Illumination, I heard it was going to be released in late Feb.

I too would like advice on a T5 fixture for a 50 Breeder, same dim as a 40 just 2" taller. I'm between a 4 x 36" bulb combo or a 6 x 24" combo. I've heard many reefers bleaching/having difficulties with coral placement using the 6 x 36" combo, would I have this propblem using 4 x 36" bulbs?

Hope this wasn't to much of a hijack Tanked, i'm in the same boat and figured it would be an appropriate thread for advice.

Thanks

They started shipping last Friday. The 36" T5/LED model can operate 6 39 watt T5's and comes with 2 3' LED arrays.

Bandomo · Apr 12, 2010

Thanks for the great advice Mr X. I will definitely be going with a 6 bulb fixture!

Steven,
I tried checking out your website for more information on the 36" fixtures and found nothing. Can you kindly point me in the right direction.

Thanks Again,