MH vs. T-8's

To: Aquatic-Plants at actwin_com
Subject: MH vs. T-8's
From: krandall at world_std.com (Karen A Randall)
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 1996 23:09:01 -0500

 Subject: MH and Fluorescent efficiencies

> Ok, Karen, I guess I'll concede :-) that VHO FL is more efficien
> than MH in converting electricity to light energy. 

I think you're conceding the wrong thing.<g>  I'm not sure that 
VHO's _are_ more efficient than MH's.  I was talking about 
T-8's.<VBG>

> I'd suggest
> folks who are interested in MH to shop around locally. I would
> imagine most big cities must have surplus outlets and liquidator
> for this kind of stuff and for those interested in building thei
> own kits and capable of wiring it together, I'm sure you could
> save a few bucks. 

That is definitely true.  I have a MH that I purchased (with bulb) 
for $75.  There are certainly a number of valid reasons why 
someone might choose to use MH lighting, and it _can_ be done 
economically.

> MH needn't be the most expensive item in your aquarium.

IMO, lighting, no matter what kind, tends to be the most expensive 
part of setting up (and running) planted tanks!
 ------------------------------

Karen Randall
Aquatic Gardeners Assoc.
Boston, MA