VHO vs Powercompact

[Patti]

Hi,
I'ts been a while since I've been here,good to be back for re- inspiration My second Ice Cap 660 has blown and I am faced with the lighting decision again. :roll: I have a 75g that 'had' 4- 48"VHO's. I am now considering PC's instead.Is there a difference between vho & pc?Also what are the differences between T5 & T12 other than diameter ? I would really appreciate any advice since I am going shopping for new lights in the morning and I don't enjoy taking the store persons word for it. Please forgive me if I can't reply until tomorrow.My keyboard is also broke and am using the on-screen one,whew.
Thanks In Advance

 

[Len]

Welcome back, Patti

The main difference between VHO and PC is the latter is more efficient and their phosphors last longer. I'd go with PCs next time around, or perhaps even consider the new T5s. T5s are even more efficient for their size and wattage then PCs. BTW, a T12 has a 1" diameter tube (12/12 = 1"). A T5 has a very thing 5/8" diameter tube (5/8 = 5/8" ). Generally, the smaller the diameter, the more efficient the light is. So T12, T8, T5 in that order. A PC is really just a twin T5 and would fit in between T8 and T5 on the efficiency order. The T5s other advantage is you can cram in more bulbs over the same area compared to a T12.

Your Icecap 660 should be able to run all these types of lighting. Contact Icecap for more details.

 

[Anonymous]

The Icecap web site has wiring diagram and such. I like VHO. A vho is 1.5" not 1". All the numbers are divided by 8 not 12.

icecapinc.com

 

[Len]

Doh. My bad. That's what I get for rushing a response before leaving work