Cant wait to get a bigger tank and 2 of these!
http://www.straylightoptical.com/res/seashine/pdf/aquarium-brochure.pdf
Ok, I have to ask you mean the light right? Not the turtle? LOL
If you were to read the thread with out the title you’d have to wonder.
I’d like to see these working on a reef tank for a year before even considering them. I have to say it is a shame their advertising includes the light blasting on a reptile and what looks to be a non-photosynthetic tank!
Yes, Ive been following Plasma light technology a little. Its good to see a company setting up fixtures for reef tanks. But you will note they are still only available as a 5300K color temp. so it will look nice and yellow and probably encourage algae to grow too. Its a lot higher in the reds, orange yellow green end of the spectrum too which feeds green algae. at 15,000 lumens per 290 watt lamp, thats only 52 lumens per watt. they compare it to a 450 watt lamp, but its output is closer to a 250 watt MH. Current LED fixtures do a little better than that with better light spectrum. Right now most of these plasma bulbs are made for high bay and outdoor lighting. but in time they will get better Kelvin color selections and refine the output.
For the time being, a more potent new light seems to be the new sunlight supply true VHO T5 fixtures.
http://sunlightsupply.com/p-13024-solar-flare-t5-vho-fluorescent-fixtures.aspx
they have a grow light open fixture, and soon will have it in the Tek Light fixture. Their new VHO T5 bulbs will run at 95 watts, 1500 MA and output 7200 lumen each. and come in the actinic, and daylight and probably 50/50. a 4 lamp strip light will use 380 watts and produce 28,800 lumen, more than a pair of 175 MH. Not too bad. thats 75 lumen per watt. and great reflectors.
That gives me an idea. i have an extra 220w 2 lamp VHO ballast and some endcaps and a couple reflectors. I might build a set for supplemental actinic and get a couple bulbs to try. one other source is coming out with lamps too. Was it UVL? the ballast will just over drive them a little. oh well… wear shades.
Ken, can you get just those VHO T5 bulbs? Anywhere local?
Hi Ian, I don’t believe they are on the market yet. and i guess sunlight supply might be the first with their own brand to go with the Tek light. i think its going out for sale early this spring.
I don’t see any for sale yet as true VHO. VHO ballasts run almost twice the amps through each bulb. So other HO bulbs just might pop with twice the current. But you know how much i like VHO. Can’t wait.
We can see if DPA can get some when they come out. or if Sunlight Supply will keep the sales to themselves.
Will be nice, i’ll keep an eye out.