UVl Bulbs

I was getting ready to order some UVL bulbs and was just wanting ot make sure these could be used in regular T5 fixtures?
they don't have to be VHO right? they can be used in regular HO fixtures as well?
Aquarium Lighting: Super Actinic 420 nm T-5 HO Fluorescent Tubes

 

Yes they work in HO fixtures. They are also designed to be overdriven by Ice Cap ballasts hence the VHO label.

 

Those will work in standard T5 and T5HO systems.

VHOs are the T12 standard huge lights.

 

You can overdrive them to make a 54w around 80 watts, but I wouldn't advise it.

I am not a big fan of UVL t5ho bulbs. They are OK but the worst of the "better" t5ho bulbs.

 

They are o.k. Everyone has their preference. I like Giesemann Powerchrome; Giesemann Powerchrome T5 High Output Fluorescent Lamps

Now, click on the link you gave for Drs. Foster and Smith and look to right on the site at the Panorama LED Module. I just added one to my Biocube and am quite happy with the effect. I am eventually (once the pair of bulbs are exhausted on my 55 gal.) replacing those 2 bulbs with the Panorama.

 

I really like the UVL super actinic bulb. Makes your tank a violet purple tint. Nice to use with a ati Blue + actinic. Sometimes the blue actinic is a little too blue for taste. In my opinion, the UVL SA neutrilizes some of the blue and really adds some nice purple.

 

In with an array with enough bulbs, they work OK. I had tried one on my 3x39w lit t5ho only 35g a few years ago when the UVL line just came out for t5ho. The UVL SA was not enough light to allow me to "waste" that bulb slot when I could run 2 ati B+ and 1 ATI aquablue. That worked pretty well, but had I had room for 1 more t5 bulb, I probably would have put the SA in there.