CF's vs NO overdriven

BCOrchidGuy · #1 02-15-2005, 10:49 PM

I set up a 15 gallon reef a couple years ago and made the mistake of using black/white combination aragonite (price was to good to pass up). I found the black in the sand absorbed most of the light from my 2x48w PC unit so I added a second unit at another 48 watts and it still didn't appear to be enough light. So, now I'm thinking about doing it all over again, I have a couple of 15 gallon tanks and a 10, I could go to a 20 gallon but I don't need to. So for lighting, I'd like to avoid MH even thought the LFS has a nice 150w HQI pendant for $300 I just want to avoid the heat etc. Does anyone use NO fluorescents on their 15-20 gallon, if so, what ballasts are you using etc. I'm giving some thought to T5s but don't know anything about them yet. Any input would be appreciated.

Doug

Fish · #2 02-16-2005, 12:23 AM

Doug,
If I was in your position and didn't want to use MH I would try out the T5's before PC. I have read some good things about them and have seen some really nice tanks set up with them. I wouldn't go with NO as it would probably limit you too much. My tank has actinic suplimentation from 24" VHO fluorescent and I LOVE it. I don't remember how long a 15gal is but if it is 24", a combination of daylight and actinic VHO would be awesome! JMO.

- Chad

BCOrchidGuy · #3 02-16-2005, 12:27 AM

Chad thanks for the input and yes I'm going to be looking into the T5s I had a T5 actinic on a 26 gallon bow and it worked well.

Doug

whaase · #4 02-16-2005, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCOrchidGuy

Chad thanks for the input and yes I'm going to be looking into the T5s I had a T5 actinic on a 26 gallon bow and it worked well.

Doug

If you do decide to go with OD NO, I have 4 - 4bulbs electronic ballasts I can give you a smoking deal on

1 ballast would OD 2 - 24" bulbs 4x.

Walter

Tarolisol · #5 02-16-2005, 01:20 AM

Ive heard alot of people saying t-5s are expensive and not that good compared to the money, but i have no experiance. Im using PCs on my cube and they seem to work well, nice growth already. Im not sure about price comparision between them either though.

Fish · #6 02-16-2005, 02:02 PM

When I was looking at getting them, they were the same price as VHO and were reported to be brighter. Also, I have read claims that the bulbs will last longer than PC before needing to be replaced. Anyone else hear that? If it is true, it would be a considerable cost savings over PC. Bob runs some T5's. He might be able to comment. You would need to buy the special T5 reflectors because, as I understand it, that is what makes them so efficient.

- Chad

BCOrchidGuy · #7 02-16-2005, 03:59 PM

Interesting stuff. Chad, when I used mine the base worked as a reflector and it was amazing how much light you got compared to if the light was on it's side. I assume a flat white box would work nicely as a reflector with some aluminum tape here and there. I imagine cost could be an issue but where I shop the 24" T5s actinics were half the price of a VHO tube. I'm still in the planning stage so I've got lots of time to look into it.

Walter, that sound like a wee bit much, but please send me a PM as I'm still thinking about my 90 for long term so an electronic ballast may not be a bad thing.

Thanks for the replies everyone

Doug

Fish · #8 02-16-2005, 04:23 PM

I'll try and find the thread where I heard it, but the argument was that because of the smaller diameter bulbs, T5 was able to take advantage of parabolic reflectors and the bulb itself didn't stop as much reflected light being blocked. The claim was that without the reflector, T5 was as good as PC but with the reflector, they blew PC out of the water. It is supposedly one of the reasons why DE MH are so much more efficient than SE bulbs - because they can better take advantage of a good reflector.
Just what I heard... at least, I think I did....

- Chad

Bob I · #9 02-16-2005, 04:30 PM

If you go the T5 route, stay a long way away from those Helios fixtures. I bought two and had to return the Actinic because it crapped out right away. I recently measured the daylight I had used for a couple of months, and found it was only 1200 LUX. (I discard PC tubes when they get down to 2000 LUX)

BCOrchidGuy · #10 02-16-2005, 04:54 PM

Sheesh Bob you just rained on my parade, the Helio's is what I can get for such a good deal. I had the actinic and it worked fine until some water got on it but I dried it off and it worked again (big black burn at one end though).
Maybe MH isn't such a bad idea..... oi vey.

Doug