PC vs T5

[tspfish]

I have always used PC's and I am starting a new 75gal reef tank. I was thinking about going with T5's with this tank. Anyone have any experience with changing from PC to T5? If so, have their been any benefits that you can see.

 

[hahnmeister]

The T5s outclass the PC and tend to give halide a run for the money as well with less wattage and less heat. Go for it and dont look back. Its almost like asking "Gee, should I go with the Ford or Ferrari?" A 6-8 bulb fixture or retrofit with individual parabolic reflectors at 54watts each will provide you with enough juice to melt mushrooms and grow clams on the bottom.

 

[tripstank]

Wow, I think I am going to make the switch on my next tank as well. That was the answer I was looking for! Thanks!

 

[mburnickas]

I had pc (coralife) for 1.5 years. It was ok until I got my Tek T5. Sam price as PC, bulbs last longer, cheper bulbs, more light....

I love my T5! and wish I did that the first time around.

 

[tspfish]

It sounds like T5 is the way to go then, I don't want to have to chill the tank at this point and don't like MH. I wonder if 6 - 54 watt bulblight setup be to much, any suggestions.

 

[mburnickas]

depends what you want to keep, DSB thickness etc. I have 4- 48" T5 and it is very bright on my 75

 

[tspfish]

With only four bulbs do you have enough light for soft corals.

 

[anglecoral]

i personally really like the color of the T5's

 

[-TS-Vash]

I just switched the T5 system is the way to go.

 

[larryl]

I recently replaced 3x96W PCs with 4x39W HO T5s on a 50gal (36" long) and I'm very happy with the T5s. For about half the wattage (156W vs 288W) I get about the same visible brightness, if not a little brighter, and the color balance is much better (the PCs made things look a bit washed out). And even though the wattage is lower, from what I've read the PAR should be much higher, especially deep in the tank due to the parabolic reflectors. I don't have a meter but I'm guessing that is the case because my SPS are doing a lot better. Extra bonus is that they run much cooler than the PCs because of the reduced wattage, so my chiller doesn't come on nearly as often.


Larry

 

[lapizzaro]

Great discussion I have 4 65s from a retro kit. Are there retro kits
for the T5s and for a 60 gallon tank with softies and about 18inchs how many watts do I need? Any recomendations will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[reefsahoy]

i've read in a forum here in reef central that you can use the ballast from the cp lighting for the t5's. you might want to check it out and all you'd have to buy is the t5 bulbs, socket, and reflectors.

 

[reefsahoy]

here is the link for using the ballast for t5's http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=765510&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

 

[twkenny]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6931357#post6931357 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tspfish
With only four bulbs do you have enough light for soft corals.

I kept LPS, some SPS and a Deresa under my T5's.

 

[tspfish]

If I used six 54watt T5 bulbs in a 48" long light fixture and the tank is 22" deep would that me equivalent to two MH. Does anyone know the answer to this.

I do know that PC do not last very long before it looks dull.

 

[reefsahoy]

tspfish, be careful which t5's fixture you buy. make sure they are 54 watt and that they have individual reflectors. It makes a BIG difference. The claim that a 4 54 watt with individual reflectors is equivalent to a 400 watt halide. the other day i was working at a hospital and saw 2 t8 with individual reflector and it was extremely bright. I can just imagine the t5 54 watt ho's

 

[bassnman11]

I just put up a new 55 gal reef next to my existing 20 gal reef. The 20 gal has 2 65 watt pc and I had no trouble keeping soft corals. I was given a frag of birdsnest. It lived in the 20, but not well. I put 4 54 watt T5 on the 48 inch 55 gal. with giesman bulbs , aqualux reflectors and 2 workhorse 5 ballast. This thing is bright. It makes the 20 gal look dim. Within 4 days, the birdsnest was showing the polyps and new growth. I don't think I would want it any brighter. I will soon change the 20 gal over to t5.

 

[lapizzaro]

bassnman11 are you using a retro kit and any actinics?

 

[mburnickas]

I agree with reefboy. I again had pc's where were ok and expensive for bulbs, startup cost (to buy) etc....not worth the money.

Got my TEK T5 light with 50% of the bulbs for around 240. Great price. The diff between pc and T5 is unreal. My coral is much happier on T5. I love the longevity of the T5 hands down.

 

[lapizzaro]

Mburnickas was this a retro ? Great price -how many watts?