[lightngsvt]

Do any of you running URI VHO bulbs on your tanks also run reflectors in your canopies?

I called HelloLights today because one of my bulbs I ordered wasnt a URI and I wanted to exchange it. They said they would exchange it if I wanted, but recomended going with a reflector instead. He said even with URI bulbs a relector will put about 10-15% more light into the tank. Is this true? Or should I just exchange the bulb and call it a day?

 

[sean]

The vho uri bulbs already have 180 degree built in reflectors.

 

[sebaeo]

the 2 uri actinics i just bought do have a reflector built into the bulb.

 

[lightngsvt]

I understand this and stated that in my post. What I was asking is if HelloLights was giving good advice, or just trying to make another sale? They said that an external reflector is still a good idea even with URI bulbs.

 

[sean]

Its not worth the money.

Sorry, i guess i misunderstood you.

 

[lightngsvt]

No problem, I do babble sometimes. I figured they just wanted another $60 sale. Ill just have them exchange the Coralife for a URI 10k.

On a side note would you run:

1. Actinic 03, 50/50 and 10K
2. Actinic 03 and 2 50/50
3. Actinic 03 and 2- 10k

 

[scleractinian]

I understand this and stated that in my post. What I was asking is if HelloLights was giving good advice, or just trying to make another sale? They said that an external reflector is still a good idea even with URI bulbs.

If you do the geometry and look at long term costs, the external reflectors are a better idea:

1) A bigger (external) reflector can be more efficient (and better shaped... that's why SLS or IC T5 reflectors allow T5HO to deliver more light to the tank than an equivalent wattage of VHO)

2) A 180 reflector exactly the size of the lamp isn't even close to the best shape or position

3) The lamps w/o reflectors are a bit cheaper... and URI now makes VHOs w/o internal reflectors so you wouldn't need to go w/ Coralife

4) an external reflector doesn't get thrown away w/ the lamp

Anyone disagree?

 

[Somethingfishy]

scleractinian

I went to Hellolights.com to check out the lights/reflectors and after looking at them I will disagree. The URI lights are actually cheaper than the Coral life they sell. Secondly the reflectors are Flat, if they were spider reflectors I think it would be a different story. I personally wouldn't waste my money, I don't have a lot and I could find more important things to spend it on.

 

[scleractinian]

Good points somethingfishy. I'd call the flat reflector and the URI internals a draw... if somebody made a reflector like the the SLS Tek or IC SLR for VHO, I'd still be using VHO actinics.

The pricing might not make sense at Hellolights, but if you can find a vendor that carries the non-internal reflector URIs, you get the same quality lamp and spectrum for usually $4-$5 cheaper than the URI internal reflector version.

I was just hoping to point out that although Hellolights clearly wanted to make the sale, they do have a point. Good external reflectors can make a huge difference in lighting system performance... and the URI internal reflector lamps have geometry working against them.

 

[sean]

I agree

Since theres isnt much light to really be reflectored, i dont really think theres a need to out and buy nice reflectors, i think a nice big sheet of polished aluminum would do the trick.

Rob, do the t-5 bulbs have bulit in reflectors too?

 

[scleractinian]

No internals on any T5s I've seen yet... and since you can fit a T5 AND a VERY good external reflector in roughly the same canopy space that a T12 VHO takes up, I doubt that anyone will market them.

The reflectors ($20-$ 25ish per lamp) make T5 expensive at first, but the lamps last 2 years with almost no drop in output or spectrum shift, and a 54w T5 w/ a Tek or SLR reflector can deliver more light to the tank than 110w VHO w/ an internal reflector.

 

[locdawgmsu]

Even though they have internal reflectors, I still put reflective background inside my whole canopy. Figured what's an extra $15? Might as well scrounge up any light I can since I'm payin for it.

 

[sean]

Ive seen them, and they definitly are most intense than a vho. Im probably going to switch over to them once my vho's go bad, to save on electricity. Since you can run them on a ice cap ballast too.

 

[dwall174]

The lamps w/o reflectors are a bit cheaper... and URI now makes VHOs w/o internal reflectors so you wouldn't need to go w/ Coralife

The new ones w/o the reflectors are called the "Aqua D-Light" & are what URI is calling their economical series! I don't think there the same bulb as the URI Super Actinic just without the internal reflector?

 

[dwall174]

I read an article on another board that mentioned that URI bought the U.S. rights to the original Phillips 03 bulbs

Ever since I read that article I have noticed that you can't get the Phillips 03 bulbs here in the U.S. anymore? The only place I have found them is in Canada? Maybe that's where the "Aqua D-Light" came from?

 

[Jimbob]

Rob,

I'm still looking for anyone that has some decent (to be read as convincing) data that the T-5 bulbs with a SLR on them put out more light than an equivalent T-12.

So far everybody has pointed me to threads with tons of subjective data, but I'd appreciate a link that showed some rather conclusive onjective data if you have them. Thanks.

 

[lightngsvt]

Great info guys! But I painted the inside of my canopy in a gloss white paint, so I dont think Id really gain any from a flat reflector. I agree a shaped reflector would be a good investment, if available. So Im just going to go fro the exchange.

For fish and softies / zoos would you do 1- actinic and 2- 10k, or 1-actininc and 2- 50/50?

 

[scleractinian]

Rob,

I'm still looking for anyone that has some decent (to be read as convincing) data that the T-5 bulbs with a SLR on them put out more light than an equivalent T-12.

So far everybody has pointed me to threads with tons of subjective data, but I'd appreciate a link that showed some rather conclusive onjective data if you have them. Thanks.

A few posters on RC have posted results of simple trials with handhled PAR meters. Anecdotes, but quantitative at least.

Using a handheld luxmeter and equivalent new lamps -- New Philips 4' 6500Ks-- I got about 15% better at 18" from the 54w T5 with a Tek Reflector than the (IceCap 660 overdriven) T12 with a Triton reflector... I got slightly better results at 18" from an ATI "batwing" T5 reflector.

Sanjays' done the trials, but don't think that they've been published yet. Watch for them in Advanced Aquarist.

I'll try to find some links to some of the T5 vs T8 vs T12 vs MH studies that have been done in industrial settings.

 

[dwall174]

So far everybody has pointed me to threads with tons of subjective data, but I'd appreciate a link that showed some rather conclusive onjective data if you have them. Thanks.

Just do a search on RC for T-5 lights by a member named "moonpod" he's some what of a T-5 guru!

 

[Jimbob]

Just do a search on RC for T-5 lights by a member named "moonpod" he's some what of a T-5 guru!

Thanks... I've already read most of Moonpod's stuff and he does not offer any objective data either, just subjective anecdotes. He also switched over to MH and isn't doing the T-5 stuff anymore so...