Poll: Bulb type on 18" and deeper tanks

[archer772]

T-5 HO's can pound down to 20 inches and maybe more and depending on the ballast and bulbs you can get up to 18-24 months before replacing them.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

18 inch isnt deep at all. i have used cf t5 t5ho and t8.

t5s and MH and leds can penetrate to the deeper parts of tanks, since pcs lack the power

t5 ho and pcs are very close... the real difference tends to be when you get good t5 ho set up with individual reflectors.

 

[DoctaQ]

i know size wise they are the same but PCs are less power? just speaking from what people say in reefs.

 

[FSM]

T5HO is only a bit more efficient, lumens/watt, but the reflectors are also better.

 

[WharfRat]

Very interesting information. Thank you all for responding.
Fred

 

[archer772]

I agree DoctaQ all of my knowledge of T-5HO's is from reefing and they are compairable to some MH setups and they are much better than any PC but we dont look at lumens just the par readings and yes they need quality reflectors to perform at those levels. I was keeping Maxima Clams and Crocea Clams at the substrate and they grew great and had excellent color and they were about 24 inches below my T-5HO's so they do have good punch

 

[dundadundun]

t12 will penetrate 18" just fine. special bulbs are not needed at that depth. although cramming in t12 would be ugly or ridiculous buying 3-6 bulbs at a time.

doing the math ho and vho are less efficient than their no counterparts. slightly more lumens but more watts also.