PC vs. T-5's

ANYWAYS............

Let's get back on topic.

____
Compact Fluorescent (100w)** - 1,600 lumens per bulb
Power Compact*** - 2,250 lumens per bulb
T8 (Normal Output) - 2,500 lumens per bulb
T12 Standard - 2,000 lumens per bulb
T12 VHO - 5,940 lumens per bulb
T5 Standard - 2,900 lumens per bulb
T5 HO - 5,000 lumens per bulb
250w Metal Halide**** - 5,500 lumens
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Compact Fluorescent bulbs (the ones with a twist in base) are obviously not very good for your tank. T8's aren't as bad as many people make them out to be according to this. If PCs were a 4ft bulb, it would do pretty well. I'm guessing about 3000-3500 lumens then. The VHOs blew me away. I'm surprised they do more than T5's and metal halides (sort of). But VHO's don't have parabolic reflectors and run a lot hotter. The T5's seem to hang right in there against metal halides though. The only problem with the metal halide is that it produces 22,000 lumens in a two foot square. All the other bulbs are in a four foot length and a few inches in width.
 
useless tidbit
I personally experienced the best growth and coloration when my old 120 was lit with 250W 65K Iwasaki's and 4x96 PC's. I've never yet been able to match that tank.

218old_120.JPG
 
Now why I know it took so long for you to fix things :p Just kidding. That looks very nice. What were you running on your PCs? Just actinic? Would you feel you have done better if you had T5s or VHOs instead?
 
I ran 2 actinic and 2 7100K's. I can't answer your other questions....that tank was 4+ years ago before T5's even existed for us. In my latest tank, I've used VHO and T5 both at seperate periods but only for dawn/dusk simulation (Hmmmmm....maybe I need to rethink that). I'm not using anything now except 14K halides.
 
Boy, ask a simple question and I get everyone all rialed up...nice.
Sincerely to everyone who contributed positively towards my concerns, thank you all! you guys rock!!!
 
The only problem with moving on is I believe we answered the question early on and the rest of us all agree on the T5 vs PC.


It has been a good conversation.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7443441#post7443441 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Snprhed
Travis have you gotten any actual work done today?

What little bit I got this morning, yes. I could have gotten it done sooner though ;)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7443226#post7443226 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gwalker
Yea, that guy's comments weren't very PC. (ta-thump, bump)

sorry, I just couldn't resist!

Thank you for not resisting -- that was just great. :)

You know, I was thinking after visiting my brother in OKC today. He recently upgraded his tank from 29 to 75 gallons. He is still using his 29G PC fixture on top of his tank for lighting and is planning a more full more lighting upgrade for the canopy he bought with the tank.

Until today, he was planning on buying T5 DIY parts and having me be the IT in DIY. (I was going to wire it all up for him)

However, today while out and about, he reverted (unfortunately) to a stand of going with PC. And the reason? Well, besides the "that is what he is used to" part.... It has to do with the fact that he is unable to get T5 bulbs at LFS. Of course I comment on the ability to buy them online (and for less money). But he is a pretty stern supporter of LFS.

Anyhow. I thought this was an interesting and relavent side of things.

Of course, I would bug the LFS owner in his case and get them to order me some, if I was that adamant about ordering them online.

So, folks, anyone else have any thoughts on this from an availability point of view?
 
That's a great couter argument to T5s. I would have to say that most of the LFSs in OKC would be more than happy to order them in if they didn;'t already carry it. But, if you are not familiar with a LFS or just don't go often, then it would be a huge drawback. I never thought about this side of things because most of the LFS in Tulsa carry a variety of T5s.
 
Interesting to hear that T5 are more available in Tulsa. I will have to check around for them in Dallas, next time I am LFSing down there...
 
Such class. :)

A good friend of mine has T5's and they get amazing color in their SPS, not to mention excellent growth. I have to admit I was somewhat skeptical at first but now after them running theirs for a year, I'm a believer!
 
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Love the signature, Keith!

A single conversation with a wise man is better than ten years of study.

Back to the topic at hand. I was thinking recently about the 180G tank I am planning to do SOMEDAY. I'm mentally debating between the following lighting arrangements.

1. A nice pile of T5s with proper reflectors.
2. Some MH lights with T5 for actinic supplementation.

The tank will likely be moderate to high light requiring corals. I don't feel the need to keep any "super" high light corals or anything. Part of me things that trying MH would be fun, since I have not up until now.

The other part wonders if it would really even be necessary. I mean, any higher light corals would be placed up high on the rockwork. And there are a lot of downsides to MH (heat, electricity, etc).

Thoughts? Or do I need to create a "MH vs. T5s" thread?

Or maybe I should just go to bed..... :)
 
Better be careful, ipinch, or my wife and/or mother will FIND and KICK your tushie.........

Other then that, have a good day. Keep up the GREAT posts. I appreciate so much the opportunity for laughter....
 
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