VHO or T5 to supplement Metal Halide ?

[nelson4u]

I am A newbie Just starting a 140 gallon 48"x24"x28" tall tank. I tried to search for this info, but the search function is down until tomorrow. I will be doing FOWLR for now, but once things get settled would like to do everything including SPS. I plan to get two 250 watt MH once tank is settled and everyting is doing fine.
My question is should I use four 110 watt VHO or four SLS 54 watt T5 for now ?
I was thinking later when I get the MH I can use either of these 4 bulbs for actinic supplementation.
I am wondering whether the T5 or VHO will be better for this ? Also, will four VHO (2 x 10000k and 2 actinic ) be good lighting for my tank now or would the T5 be better ?
I was considering T5 for all my lighting, but now that I am going to add MH anyway, I really need to decide which of these will go better with the MH down the road. Thanks ahead for any help.

[Poseidon]

Both options are good ones. Some people (myself included) think VHO actinic is better then T5 and especially PC. It seems to really Flourece (sp?) under VHO. I guess I could just say the Green REALLY POPS. Under my old PC's it added blue, but not the POP!!!


Like THAT!!!

[dougc]

I looked at both options and went with VHO. For primary lighting, the T5 bulbs are supposed to throw more light, but for actinic supplementation that isn't a huge issue. By the time you put good reflectors over the T5 bulbs, they take up as much or more room in the hood than VHO, which have a built-in reflector (URI). Take a look a bulb prices, too. I found that T5 bulbs were significantly more expensive than VHO for the same length bulb. This adds up over time. Either one will work, though.

[Reefland]

I tried to search for this info, but the search function is down until tomorrow.

Huh?

[nelson4u]

Thanks Poseidon and Doug,

Poseidon, that picture is incredible ! I think I will go the VHO route.

Sorry Scott,
I had posted this on RC to get a little more ideas and their search function was not working. I copied and paste to here and forgot to take that part out. OOPS!

[Poseidon]

Thanks Poseidon and Doug,

Poseidon, that picture is incredible ! I think I will go the VHO route.

Sorry Scott,
I had posted this on RC to get a little more ideas and their search function was not working. I copied and paste to here and forgot to take that part out. OOPS!

Thanks!!!

[tonyb]

True the T5 bulbs do cost more. but they also last a lot longer than VHO bulbs... and the interior reflectors, although they do work, are nothing compared to the T5. If your chosing between VHO and T5 for primary lighting i would deifnately go with T5. Yes there is a higher initial expense, but you save in the long run because you dont have to replace the bulbs as often, and they cost less to operate.

That being said, I also agree that VHO Anctic's look better... so if your just looking for anctic supplimentation, VHO may be the way to go, until they come out with a better T5 anctic, which is supposed to be in the works(ive read this in many areas, but havent heard anything from manufs.)