Bulb life

[jamesbuf]

Can anyone supply some info or a link to the norms of bulb life. I'm looking to get a new light and deciding between T5, PC, VHO, and MH. I've only ever owned T5s so I don't know much about the others. Currently debating between a larger T5 system or a MH/PC or MH/VHO combo. What are the pros and cons or VHO and PC?

[rrubberbandman]

Ice cap and vho's are nice.........bulb life 12 months?

Pc's i think are low budget ........

t-5's are sweeeeet!!!!

halides are hot!.....great for big tanks....so thats out of my ballfield.

give champion lighting a call and speak to one of there light guys.....they have helped me out alot in the past...........URI is awesome also....i bought directly from him in the late 90's

Bryan

[steveoutlaw]

James,

Do a search on Reef Central on T5 vs MH. When I was shopping for mine I found this thread and it shows exactly what you're looking for. That's what made my decision to go with T5s over MH.......that and cost.

 

Steve

[jamesbuf]

So I think I'm pretty much decided against PC lights. I'm now deciding between a large T5 setup, with 8 bulbs or so, and a 3X150 MH setup with either T5 or VHO actinics. I've had people say they didn't like the light from VHOs, but their actinics are good right?

[steveoutlaw]

VHO actinics are the best. I'm removing my T5 actinics and using VHOs for my system.

 

You might want to look at doing what I did. I have 2 36" units over my tank since they don't make 72" T5s. I've also seen the 48" staggered to span the full 6'.

[gastone]

If you are going to go hallide, consider using 250 over 150, especially on that size tank. You'll get better coverage, more options for bulbs, more par and if you do decide to sell it will be easier to sell.

 

Garrett.

[HowardofNOVA]

James,

I just bumped the PAR Meter post for this information for you!

 

I using the Par Meter took numerous readings over periods of time with all types of different lighting types and found that for the most part, bulbs where losing about 20-25% of their effectiveness using the meter after about a 4mo. period. Brand and Non-Brands where almost identical in these readings with Brands having a SLIGHT edge at best!

WE NEED volunteers to continue these readings ASAP...hint hint :wink:

The link has about 40-50 different bulbs that where measured back in Jan-Mar of this year, so new recordings of these bulbs and more to measure the changes is needed!

 

VOLUNTEERS??

 

MH bulbs gave the highest readings down deeper in the tanks for the most part, but with heat issues and higher electricity bills. Shelf life recommended about 9-15mo with 9m-1yr usually recommended. Some bulbs where still driving the reading at high levels after 2-3 YEARS, but this was an exception not the rule. BUT this again was not 100% accurate for most bulbs where not that old to test at that time!

 

For smaller tanks, under 120g, I would recommend T5 bulbs due to their almost non-existant heat issues and being they sit closer to the surface, they are able to drive the bulbs deeper with higher readings.

 

VHO bulbs and PC lights have their place in smaller tanks as well under 75g, but of course there are always exceptions to every rule.