power compact or t5ho?

[bunsmonkey]

40 breeder, what would be the better light? just going to be keeping softies, zoos, and such. the orbit with 6700k & 10000k dual daylight & dual actinic, 192 total watts, or the nova extreme t5ho with 2 39 watt 10000k & 2 39 watt actinic, 156 total watts?
what fixture is better? any and all opinions welcome, and greatly appreciated. thanks alot.

 

[Nanomaniac]

It is your decision but I would personally go with PC lighting for your tank considering the coral you wish to keep.

 

[stewie24]

I'd also say PCs. I've owed an orbit and had no trouble with it at all.
The t5's might last longer but the nova extreme is junk IMO.
If you really want to get the full benefits out of t5's you have to have individual refectors.
Stewie

 

[duec22]

If that is the stocking list you are going to stick to I think...go with the PC's....less money, and I think the T-5's would be overkill..

 

[LBCBJ]

T5's, much brighter then PC. I have a 150w MH on my 18g if you were thinking T5's were too much for your tank, they're not.

 

[bunsmonkey]

so what makes the nova junk, just the reflectors, or something else? the nova extreme is about $40 cheaper than the orbit, and premium aquatics says that the pc actinicts arent true actinics. anything to be concerned about?

 

[duec22]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7573598#post7573598 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LBCBJ
T5's, much brighter then PC. I have a 150w MH on my 18g if you were thinking T5's were too much for your tank, they're not.

And I've bleached both LPS and SPS from too intense light that have come out of tanks with MH...I've have to move a lot of my LPS into the back of caves and overhanges to keep them alive and colored. My zoas also are not as rich as they should be where they are in full light, the ones in the shade look great though...while in the MH tanks they look like the one that are in the shade in my tank.

There really is a thing as too much light, and dont let anyone tell you different.

 

[reefer_for_life]

if your not gonna go with T5's, i would go with VHO's for your tank over PC's. VHO have much better actinic bulbs.

 

[ficklefins]

T5s & VHO over PC.

 

[Brooks_McClary]

I just purchased the Nova Extreme 24" (96w)fixture for my 20gal. It replaced my 130w PC light. It is MUCH brighter and the corals are all much happier. Two of my mushrooms would like less light but otherwise, everything loves it!! Yes, T5s with individual reflectors are brighter but honestly, if my lights were much brighter, they WOULD be too bright for some of my corals. Also, the T5s run cooler than the PCs.

 

[bunsmonkey]

so the nova should be ok then, and if not the nova go with t5,s over pc,s anyway? well thats comforting to know, i just hope the nova, is a good fixture. i have only got one reply saying its bad, so i dont know. its got a pretty good price, for me anyway. well thanks again for everyones help, anyone with exp. with nova please feel free to give me pros-cons. thanks alot.