Timbo thanks for understanding my point! Reefrunner for you to say that a 400 watt
MH will put out more lumens is obserd. For example i have a 36" tank that runs 39watt T5HO's. Your stating that 10 T5HO 39watt bulbs cannot make more lumens than 1 400watt
MH? Lumen output of T5HO is very different from a standard tube bulb.
HO just like
VHO's is determined on how many lumens are produced by wattage consumed. You have to remember that lumens are not measured from a 1 inch measurement but by total output of light from a bulb.
Reefrunner states:
Pinpoint source of light will always penetrate further in the water that something spread across the entire tank.
How is this true? Its true that pinpoint is stronger withing that "inch" of penetration. BUT you have to realize that
MH is coming from a point and ending in a reflection of a ray. Every time light is reflected it is weakened, perhaps by water or a reflector for the lighting. Also the fact that
MH's are designed to output light in all directions of the bulb including from the tip. Sorry to babble on but
MH will never compared to 10 T5HO's for light output no matter how good of a reflector or anything you have not including the cost difference in eletricity. 10:1 ratio is not a good comparison but is a fair one.
JMO