kettlecorn
New member
I just want to know if there is some form of conversion rate for the watts. Would 36w of T5HOs be more, less or roughly equivalent to 72w of PC lighting? Which one would run hotter? Someone help me out here. Thanks.
How much stronger are T5HOs compared to PC?
- Thread starter kettlecorn
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Johnny C
New member
As far as I know there are no 36w T5 bulbs nor are there 72w PC bulbs. What kind of tank/livestock do you have?
Wattage isn't nearly as important as PAR, which in simple terms is how much light your bulbs actually emit. Generally speaking, T5's produce 2-3x more PAR than T5's.
Wattage isn't nearly as important as PAR, which in simple terms is how much light your bulbs actually emit. Generally speaking, T5's produce 2-3x more PAR than T5's.
Not really that much. The biggest difference is when you can wrap an individual reflector around the T5 bulb to produce more output. That makes a ton of difference. If you have individual reflectors, go with the T5s. If you dont, it makes very little difference between the two and I would opt for a 36" 96 watt PC bulb over a 36" 39 watt T5 without individual reflectors.
kettlecorn
New member
I should clarify. This is for a nano tank and the 36w T5HO are TWO-18w bulbs with individual reflectors.
The 72w PCs are TWO-36w bulbs, just PC and not individual reflectors or anything. I am guessing the first option would be brighter and more output??
This is for a 12 gallon Nano tank with some LPS and other corals but no SPS. Though to be able to have SPS would be nice, but I'm not sure if the lighting is enough.
The 72w PCs are TWO-36w bulbs, just PC and not individual reflectors or anything. I am guessing the first option would be brighter and more output??
This is for a 12 gallon Nano tank with some LPS and other corals but no SPS. Though to be able to have SPS would be nice, but I'm not sure if the lighting is enough.
kettlecorn
New member
Awesome thanks! I don't think i can afford to drop that much on the par38 for my 12 gal. If anything it'd be for my RSM 130 
but thanks for the link, i never knew that existed.
but thanks for the link, i never knew that existed.ThaNgBOm321
Member
i'm a lighting noob but from my own experiences, I would rather have t5 over pc anyday. The light output of pc drop too fast imo. T5 seem to stay brighter for a much longer time. I would have to probably replace sets of light in the life span on one set of t5.
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