I guess it depends what you're looking for, economy or performance. Icecap lives on the economic side of the fence.

Oh, I see.
Except, that was the whole idea behind T-5 lighting...certainly cant be for the performance.

T5s were designed to compete with VHOs. I think with comparable output versus half the input, T5s perform quite well.

They are not a comparable output.

Thats the problem, you would have to give me, at say, 28w per 4' t-5 tube.... 4 tubes to equall 1 VHO 4'.... this just tells me you have 4x the bulb replacement.

Now multiply wattages needed to power those four, and cut an VHO ballasts power consumption by a 1/4 to run one bulb, for a true power consumption comparison....then, i dont think its such a big factor anymore.

Those reasons seem to make T-5`s not so cost effective and efficient anymore.

Really, from what ive seen of t-5`s, they definatly have their place....but it seems to have to be very close to whatever your trying to grow. :wink:

I was meaning high output T5s, which are 54w for a 48" tube, 39w for a 36" tube, etc. Get a parabolic aluminum reflector (up to 300% more light redirected, like this: http://aquariacanada.com/osCommerce/...roducts_id=963 ) for the bulb and BANG.

Now if you're comparing normal output T5s to VHOs, you're correct, there -is- no comparison.

(sorry for hijacking the thread)

Ha. So much for happy endings. Went to my breaker box today to start with the wiring and the bloody thing is full. (About 6 breakers weren't labeled so I assumed they were empty) I love it when a plan comes together. So now to find what has the least draw on it and use that I guess. I hate flippin breakers to find out what does what, I had to do that in my old house because it had no label on it.

Scott

Your other option, which involves a little more work, is to add a sub panel. Basically you will need to remove some of the breakers and replace them with a larger one which will feed the sub panel. Then run a heavy guage wire from that breaker to the new panel. Next, place the removed breakers into the new sub panel (you'll have to move the wires over too) as well as the new ones you want to add. It is exactly like you would do if you were running power to an outbuilding except you are just puttting it beside the main panel.

hello i live in chilliwack too, it's been three months and a half since we started with our tank, well almost four,, we have 50 pounds of live rock, three damsels, one maroon clown, a coral beauty, a cleaner shirmp , brittle star and 15 snails and about 15 crabs,, we have been through cyanobacteria, diatoma bloom and now we are plagued with brown and green algae,, we have done everything, everythinh we have been told,, we clean the fishtank and ten minutes after the gravel is just so brown,, we have a fluval 404, a protein skimmer, a power head 802 and lately we bought seal 620,,,, we are so frustrated and desesperated :rolleyes: ,, we dont know what to do,,, maybe you can give us a good advice,,or maybe you can give us a call ,,, thanks a lot .... dave

(604) 7926421 plsssss :cry:

Dave,

start a thread, with all the questions you have and title it accordingly...it may not get seen in here, its a different topic.