would this be an upgrade?

Discussion in 'T5 Aquarium Lighting' started by iLLwiLL, Sep 30, 2009.

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  1. iLLwiLL

    iLLwiLL Sailfin Tang

    Joined:
    May 6, 2009
    Messages:
    1,715
    Location:
    Central FL
    I have 320 watts of VHO's and 384 watts of PC's over my 125 totaling 704watts of light. If I were to "upgrade" to T5's, I could fit 6 80watt bulbs with individual reflectors putting me at 480 watts. Thats 3.84w/ gallon of T5 vs 5.6w/gallon of VHO and PC pre upgrade . . .

    This would solve my heat problems, and I would no longer need a chiller, and all I would need ballast wise would be is another workhorse7 (have 2 running the VHO's presently).

    I found a used retro someone is parting out, so 7 4-month old bulbs, reflectors, and endcaps would only cost me $200, but I would have to re-build my canopy (another $100 max). Is this worth diving into, or am I going to have an end result of more or less the same light output? I am wanting to have a nice LPS / softie reef and a squamosa clam long term.

    Thanks!

    ~Will.
     
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  3. oceanparadise1

    oceanparadise1 Fire Squid

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2009
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    Location:
    Rochester,NY
    That would be a huge upgrade. You cant go by watts per gallons now, thats old and doesnt apply to new bulbs. You would have to slowly acclimate your corals to the new lights.
     
  4. JJK

    JJK Teardrop Maxima Clam

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2009
    Messages:
    845
    +1 HUGE upgrade from VHO and PCs. You would have no trouble with your clams then, especially if you got good bulbs and reflectors.