T5HO vs. PC for Actinic Supplementation

[jonboyb]

I posed this question on my local board with no response so thought I'd ask here. My canopy for my new 93 cube (30"x30"x24") has limited space for actinics with my 400w MH reflector and I pretty much have the choice between 2, 24w T5HO's or 2, 65w PC's for actinics.

To me it seems like a no brainer to choose 130w PC over the 48w T5HO, but thought I'd ask the experts. Thanks.

 

[ness]

You can't really compare T5 vs PC watt for watt. I would go with T5, more bulb choices and the reflectors are much better than the ones for PC's.

If you can fit 2 x 65w PC's you can probably fit 4 x 24w T5s.

 

[benny z]

best actinic you can use is the vho super actinic.

 

[jonboyb]

VHO's are just too hard to find near me. Have to rely on mail-order.

I can certainly cram 4, 24w T5HO's in there, but I would have to severely modify a single reflector to accept dual T5's. Seems like a waste since most T5 reflectors (Tek series comes to mind) are designed to have exact bulb placement to maximize light production. Squeezing dual bulbs might not be a good thing.

 

[benny z]

VHO's are just too hard to find near me. Have to rely on mail-order.

good thing they last so much longer than t5 bulbs! ;)

they are always available from premium aquatics, and you are probably a 2-day ship time. they ship bulbs in a styro triangle container and can ship 6 (iirc) in one box. stock up and you're set for 3 years.

jmo

i still have yet to see a t5 actinic bulb that will compete with the vho actinic. and you don't need reflectors! :smile:

 

[jonboyb]

and you don't need reflectors! :smile:

Valid point.....Hmmmmmm. Is a 24" VHO bulb actually more like 22" (like T5's)?