Trying to understand the difference between T5, T8, T12, VHO and PC

jmhart

jmhart

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Sep 8, 2007
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I thought I had all this figured out, but as it turns out, I don't.

I'm planning my next tank, a 180g(72" long). I was planning on a 3x150 HID MH / 4x80w T5 retrokit. However, something else that I really wanted to do was use the GE 9325 for the fluorescent. As it turns out, GE doesn't offer that bulb in an 80w T5. They offer it in a 55w "T5", which is actually what we all call a PC.

So, I'm looking at other options. I'm looking at Catalina Aquarium, came across this: 3x150w MH/4x80 VHO. I thought VHO was kind of generic term for overdriving a bulb/ballast, but it appears I'm wrong on that. What kind of bulb would I need for that? A "VHO" bulb, or a "VHO T12" or something.


I'm open to other options, but I'm really trying to use the 9325 bulb. These are the available bulbs that come in 9325.
 
Yup PC are just T5 bulbs bent in a "U", and thats the reason they arent as efficient as straight T5, restrike and the reflectors off wide shape.

I would steer away from that retrofit, since the MH and PC bulbs dont have individual reflectors.

Personally I would go with a HQI and T5 HO bulb combo, or if I found a deal on pendants, you could combo those AH supply kits, if you wanted to keep using the GE bulbs.

Basically I'm biased to T5 since you cant get Geismann Daylights in PC, and again T5's have the advantage of being able have individual reflectors.
 
Riiz....I don't know why I didn't think of that in the first place. It would actually save me a lot of money to just buy individual retrokits. I already have a 4x55w AH Supply sitting around, so I buy one more, have my 6x55w, and then buy 3 1x150 MH.....

If I did that, every bulb would have individual reflectors...PC bulb restrike aside. And that would be very versatile, because everything would be independent.....I think I like it.

That way, if 4x55w PC and 3x150w HQI was too much, I could remove 2x65w or 1x150w, or whatever.....I like it.
 
Last edited:
Mgamer20o0 said:
sometimes its the simple answers lol..... another reason why i dont like all in one is because if one part goes out its going to really screw up the whole system.
Click to expand...

Thats true, but its not a bad thing if your handy with electronics.
 
T-12, 8, 6, 5, etc, refers to the diameter of the tube.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=1038

What does T-8 and T-12 stand for?
The "T" number or the T-rating indicates the diameter of the fluorescent lamp. The T-rating of fluorescent lamps are described in increments of 1/8 of an inch. So a T-8 fluorescent lamp is 8/8, or one inch in diameter and a T-12 fluorescent lamp is 12/8 or 1-1/2 inches in diameter.
As the website there explains, VHO or HO is just a moniker essentially, and usually relates to using higher wattage than other bulbs of the same size rated as a lower output.

PC's, or Power Compact lamps come in more than just T5 tube sizes. I've seen T6's as well. Regardless, when you're using a Power Compact lamp what matters is the base type, not the tube size.

HQI is a type of Metal-Halide High Intensity Discharge lamp. It does not *necessarily* denote whether the bulb or fixture is double-ended, but I'm not sure what the tendency is for systems sold as HQI.
 
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