Opinions on T5HO regular vs. overdriven

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I have a 50 breeder (36x18x18") lit with 3 39watt T5HO bulbs (and am happy with the color and intensity). I'd like to upgrade to a standard 75 gallon (I already own it) but I'm wondering if I can get similar look and PAR by overdriving 2 48" T5HO bulbs. I already have an IceCap 430 collecting dust. So, my only cost to light the 75 this way would be bulbs and reflectors. The 75 will only be run as the display for a year or less (planning another upgrade to a 90 gallon) so I don't want to invest heavily in lighting. The 90 (also already own) will be DIY LED.


Other info...

Current bulb selection
ATI blue+
ATI aquablue special
ATI blue+

Potential bulbs for the 75
ATI blue+
ATI aquablue special

So, what do you think?

Thanks,
Tom

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Anyone... anyone? Beuller. Beuller.

[Poseidon]

If you overdrive, the blue + seem to lose some Blue. You also gain a LOT of PAR, 30% ish, I would guess, so you would need to re-acclimate you corals to the new light.

What other bulbs would you be using, as 2 48" would be great for a FOWLR, but no where near enough for a reef.

In my experience, 4 OD bulbs = 6 regular T5.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Thanks for the reply Mike. So, by your ratio wouldn't the two OD bulbs = the 3 bulbs I'm currently using?

[Poseidon]

Ya, I suppose it would, but having only 2 bulbs won't allow you to "fine tune" the color much.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Good point. Since this will be a short-term intermediate tank may be I'll stagger two of the 36" T5HO bulbs along with the two 48" overdriven bulbs. This way I can OD two blue+ bulbs and use the 36" to color balance.

Tom

[Poseidon]

That sounds like a good plan Tom.