Another t5 and VHO thread

I have a 55 gallon with 220watts of VHO and was thinking about adding some t5s. I don't want 440watts, or 660watts (as provided by an icecap ballast) but would still like overdriven t5s and would enjoi something more on the economical side.

Could I have the same overdriven effect with two 36'' 18k t5s and a 112watt GLO ballast? Is that safe? Would the benefits of that be the same as having two normal 56watt t5s?

thanks

 

what do you want the t5's for I'd think that 220w of vho would be enough for a 55g

 

I would ask the opposite of Iraf, and ask why would you keep the VHO?

i would go all t5ho on that 55g and be done with the energy robbing VHO's. The t5s wil put out a lot more light for a lot less watts than the VHO. The bulbs will last a good 2x longer than VHO, and you can choose from a ton of tubes and combos with t5ho. Choices are very limited with VHO, and IIRC, the vho tubes cost more.. Then there is the issue of more watts = more heat....

The only way you can OD t5s is by running an icecap 440 or 660 ballast, and then the 54 watt t5s go to like 80 watts. 39w t5ho when OD'd are like 60 watts or so.

You can easily run 3 footer t5ho on that tank, but I would run 4 footers, and not overdrive them.

 

I tend to agree with horkn. I have a 4 foot Tek Light on a 90 gallon and everything I put in there grows! I have no heat issues, like with the VHO's. UV Lighting makes a 454 NM actinic and the Actinic White makes a good combination for coloration.

 

VHO like PC will be on their way out of our hobby soon enough. T5 like the horkn said is the way to go but he only said it because I did! Just kidding in all seriousness phase out the VHO for T5. If you want VHO t5 then you WILL need to use the IC ballast, at least until someone finds another ballast that ODs lamps effectively and safely.
Trust me I have been looking around for a more cost effective version with little success. Guys at the commercial lighting places wonder what I am doing, and ask what kind of store am I trying to light up!
I would skip the Hagen Glo ballasts, and look for a Universal Program start or something comperable. Workhorse is good but with the instant start you will lose some life on the lamps.