Yet another lighting question

[jgolden]

Looking at replacing the 5 X 48" VHOs I currently have with a 60" 322W (2-96 watt, 2-65 watt) Dual Strip Compact Fluorescent Light Fixture. Would the CF setup I'm looking at provide me with the same (or more) lumens as teh current VHO setup?

TIA

J

[sniggir]

why not go T5's they are far more effcient than CF's and have great color's aswell... wow that is a lot of light for a FW set up... lol should think about going SW...jk I just try and switch everyone to the darkside

[jetstream]

Basically, Compact Fluorescent and T5 are the same! The lumens from the same wattage tubes should be the same. T5 is just longer in length, for ex: a 55 watts T5 is approx 46 inches long and a CF is approx 22 inches long.

[BigDaddy]

This chart:

http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_technical_data.htm#Photosynthetically%20Active%20Radiation

shows that 96W CF bulbs provide a far more effecient light distribution pattern.

However, you are replacing 5 of them with only 2.  The 65W CF's are good, but can't compare bulb for bulb against a 110W VHO

[sniggir]

well... I am not a planted guy I run SW and most of us do not like the intesity that come from the CF's or PC, alot of people are switching over to T5's because the lumin out put is considered to be the as MH... and the K rating choices that you can get are great, VHO, is still great at pumping out the watage, but alot of people have switch from VHO to T5's

[CACTUS]

T5's have a greater lumen output because of the reflector.how did you have 5 x VHO? 2 different ballasts? that is a ton of light on a freshwater tank Lol.

[BigDaddy]

Any bulb will have a greater light output due to reflectors.  That is not unique to T5 bulbs.

[CACTUS]

the reflector for T5 HO lamps is unique [icecap,tek] I haven't seen any PC lights with these reflectors? or any PC fixtures with unique reflectors. can you provide a link that shows PC lights with a good reflector?? I was under the impression thats why T5HO setups were pushing POWERCOMPACTS out of the market?

[BigDaddy]

AH Supply sells MIRO 3 reflectors for PC bulbs that are nearly the same design as the Icecap T5 reflector.

[jgolden]

T5's have a greater lumen output because of the reflector.how did you have 5 x VHO? 2 different ballasts? that is a ton of light on a freshwater tank Lol.

Lol yep. 2 ballasts. lighting is over a planted 150G

[BigDaddy]

Just out of curiousity, why are you looking to upgrade?

[jgolden]

This chart:

http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_technical_data.htm#Photosynthetically%20Active%20Radiation

shows that 96W CF bulbs provide a far more efficient light distribution pattern.

However, you are replacing 5 of them with only 2.  The 65W CF's are good, but can't compare bulb for bulb against a 110W VHO

Actually, the units have 2 * 96w and 2 * 65W bulbs in them. Would that compare to the 5 * 110W VHOs? If not, was also considering adding 2 of these units. Would THAT be overkill?

Just out of curiousity, why are you looking to upgrade?

Partially because of the cost of running the 5 VHOs (electricity); Partially for the availability (every time one burns out, I have to order a replacement; I've only found 45.5" VHOs at BA-Innes, and not lately....); partially because the tank is 60", and I don't believe that even with the staggering I have, I'm not getting proper light distribution; And partially because I'm looking at reducing the footprint the (DIY) hood is taking.

[BigDaddy]

If a footprint is a big issue, then you should go with T5HO bulbs.  Without reflectors, you can stack them less than an inch apart.  With reflectors (like the IceCap), they are around two inches between bulbs.

They come in 4 foot lengths, so you could stagger them over a 5 foot tank no problem.  They are also a fairly easy bulb to get at Litemore and others.  The 96W CF bulb, you will find, is almost as hard to replace (and a lot harder on the dollar) than a 110W VHO.

I am assuming this is for your 150?  Depending on what plants you are planning, either 4 or 6 bulbs should be more than enough.

[groan]

sorry to ressurect this old post, but it has alot of info i am looking at,

Any clue where the best spot is to get a diy kit for t5s? I am looking at either 4 48's or 6 24's over a 48 inch 55 gal.
need caps and ballasts etc all pre-wired. I do not claim to be a diy'er so as easy as possible without spending a TON of cash.

if i do the 24's i think i would stagger them a bit...

[groan]

Darkphreak pointed me to these guys
http://aquakit.ca/product_info.php?cPath=26_32&products_id=38&osCsid=f2c5bc52fa5c8ec5556f3a67292f255f

so now i need to decide to either go 48 in or 24..
the 48 is only $35 more and the kit comes with...(sounds like we have a winner!)

4x T5 Waterproof End Cap Pairs
4x T5 Standoff Pairs
4x Icecap T5 Reflectors
4x T5 ARC Lamps(Choice of 10,000K or Actinic Plus)
1x Workhorse Ballast
1x 10 Feet Wire
1x Wire Caps
1x 3 Prong Plug

[BigDaddy]

Aquakit doesn't sell locally though groan, only to people outside the Ottawa area.

[groan]

are you kidding me?
I hope so.

[BigDaddy]

are you kidding me?
I hope so.

No joke.

However, Ottawa Inverts and Marinescape are their resellers so you should check with one or both of them.

[groan]

I ended up getting a fantastic deal from Marinescape for a Current Dual Satellite 48" for HALF PRICE!
$200 with tax.

260 watts total.