Downgrading from MHs to VHOs

[Bill S]

Yeah, I know, everyone loves their t5s. But, I have one set of VHOs that I run on the tank now, as actinics. Also, there are no 72" T5s.

Anyway, I'm going to just LPS and softies (and fish, of course), and plan to dump my MHs. I dropped Hellolights a note, and they indicated I should be ok with an additional pair of 72" 10Ks. They have the ARO ballast kit on sale for $87.50. Anyone else have any thoughts?

[TexasTodd]

I'd be temped to try one of the new mogul based LEDs.

I've also seen some pretty nice sps on vho on a tank your size.

Go with the flow man. Do what sounds good for now Bill.

Todd

[BIGBIRD123]

Yeah, I know, everyone loves their t5s. But, I have one set of VHOs that I run on the tank now, as actinics. Also, there are no 72" T5s.

Anyway, I'm going to just LPS and softies (and fish, of course), and plan to dump my MHs. I dropped Hellolights a note, and they indicated I should be ok with an additional pair of 72" 10Ks. They have the ARO ballast kit on sale for $87.50. Anyone else have any thoughts?


Bill,
they do make 6' T5's.

s

[hobogato]

are you sure? i never could find em when i was setting up christy's tank...


Bill,
they do make 6' T5's.

s

[TexasTodd]

Do you have a link Steve?

I haven't seen them either.

Todd

[BIGBIRD123]

let me see where I found them.

S

[BIGBIRD123]

i guess i was wrong but i could've sworn that i saw them but was worried about the shipping.

s

[wesheltonj]

Best I that I have seen is 60" t-5 and t-8. Might want to think about getting a Dali Ballast interface and have this dimmable and controllable. (GHL)

Or you can upgrade to LED.

[SoLiD]

Yeah, I too was thinking of going with T5's, but I also a ton of VHO stuff. Plus, with VHO's, you don't have to buy a high dollar reflector for each VHO bulb like you would with T5's. For that reason, I'm leaning toward VHO's also, Bill. I'm going to try to emulate Brian's (GreenMako) light set up, but on a smaller scale though. The main reasons that most are going T5 HO instead of VHO is the vast T5 HO Bulb Selection and to save on their Electricity Cost. But with most people using IceCap Ballasts to Overdrive their bulbs to achieve good PAR Levels they end up sacrificing bulb life (6 months of life) which seems to kill the cost saving part of their plan. Even if it doesn't work out Bill, it's not like it would be impossible to change your set up to what ever you like in the future. :)

[Texreefer]

Bill, if your going no MH and you have to purchase additional lights, just make the jump to T5 you will be much happier with them.. you could do 8 36" T5 and you will have better options for color combinations. you will also get better coverage that way

[gjuarez]

I would suggest t5 as well..

[SoLiD]

BTW: The VHO's in my setup are for Actinic Supplementation Only. :angel:

[Bill S]

LED? No way... Sorry, not ready for prime time.

If I go VHO, it will cost me about $235 to get 4 x 72" VHO, 640w total.

If I go T5, it will cost me $240 to get me 4 x 36" T5, 156w total. I think i need to quadruple that, so I'm up to $960. To get to 624w. Heck I have 4 x 54w (216w total) T5s on my 55, and it can barely keep a cap growing just under the surface...

As for overdriving, I'm assuming that could mean use 4 Icecap 430s to run 16 x 36" T5s? That would be 624w, and be driven to maybe 800w or so? That would run:

3 Icecap 430 ballasts w/ harness (I have a 660 I can use): $510
16 bulbs: $320
16 reflectors: $272
16 endcap sets: $156
Shipping...
Total WITHOUT shipping: $1258

Holy $&#@ I should keep the MHs! And, overdriving the t5s, they probably will only last as long as the VHOs...

[CoryDude]

Solid's right, use the icecaps w/the VHO set up for now. Then when you can, buy the endcaps, reflectors, & bulbs and switch over t5's at a later date.

Looks like you got half of what you need for VHO setup (besides bulbs) anyways.

[Bill S]

It's not the $$.

I'm trying to cut down on the insane level of complexity that my tank has/had.

Again, I'm not trying to grow SPS. I want the lighting level that will sustain softies and some LPS - I have to be careful there, because of my angel.

HOWEVER, see if this works:

Keep my VHOs - and run them with actinics.

Add 8x36" T5s with 2 Icecap 430s. That will run me about $600.

I gotta think about this...

[rpc]

Heck I have 4 x 54w (216w total) T5s on my 55, and it can barely keep a cap growing just under the surface...



Are you using individual reflectors? I have had great luck on my SPS dominated 90g (48" wide) with 4x54w and individual reflectors (not overdriven) for about 2 years. I used 4x39w with individual reflectors for 2 years before that.

I would second the vote for 8x39w.

[jc]

Icecap 430 will not overdrive a t5. The 660 model is the ballast that will overdrive a t5.

[BIGBIRD123]

Icecap 430 will not overdrive a t5. The 660 model is the ballast that will overdrive a t5.

They will overdrive them. I can show you the difference in the WH7 and the Icecap 430 and it's a lot of difference.

S

[Jeff]

just go old school bill and have fun. i'm sure you can get bulbs pretty cheap and someone has some old endcaps and ballast you could get for cheap. t-5's are great but what will be the new thing in a couple years.

[wkada]

If you are looking to simplify, I would seriously consider the Aquactinics 72" Constellation fixture. It has 14 36" T5 bulbs in 7 rows, built in fans, outstanding individual reflectors, three plugs for on/off cycles, etc. It looks great and is plug and play. Downside: $950.00 without bulbs.

[brewercm]

I like that idea as you can always use your existing VHO actinics just for that purpose and with the others you give yourself some bulb play to see what you like. If you'ld like you are welcome to come by and see what my 58 looks like with the 5 bulb system over it. Quite a bit brighter than I figured it was going to be.

After talkig with Barry from Clams Direct a few months back he had told me clams would do fine under the system I bought. I'm not planning SPS but wanted to keep clams this time so I just wanted to make sure the lighting would be adequate.

[TexasTodd]

Put a sun tube in!

LOL :)

[jc]

You are correct about the 430. Here is a quote from icecap, ""With the 430 ballast it will run 2 T5's only regardless of wattage. It will not overdrive them to the levels of a 660 ballast. It will be minimal at best. Will overdrive them by approximately 10%."

[Bill S]

Thanks for making this simple. folks.

Thanks for the fixture recommendation - I have plenty of room to mount, so I don't need one. I also like the ability to fix components when they break. As well, I mount my ballasts outside (protected from rain), so they don't get salt creep and don't put heat into my tank/room.