Power Compct vs T5 vs ???

[sceia]

Firstly....I just upgraded the tank to a 90... footprint of a 75, but taller...

I just secured a MH fixture with 4 power compact actinics, 2 MHs, and some moon light leds... The power compacts are a bit old and are probably needing to be changed out.

Would it be better to:

1. Simply change out all 4 compacts with new ones.

2. Upgrade the 4 compacts with 2 or 4 actinic t5's...and if so what ballast and retrofit kit to use.

3. Get 2 or 4 ecoxotic stunner or panoramas (blue) and stick them in?

Thanks,
Scott.

 

[jbonez]

i love my fixture look at my signature?

 

[heckeng]

I looked at that as well with my MH/T5 combo. LED in there would be great but in my opinion, it is kind of cost prohibitave. I would just get some new PCs in there. I like those bulbs actually because their sockets are nicer than most T5 sockets. There won't be a drastic difference between the T5 and PC either, so why not keep it simple.

 

[coral2002]

LED/T5 is better.

 

[chadfarmer]

t5s are brighter than pcs

the cost of pc bulbs is ridiculous

a retro of t5 and bulbs


now the leds you are looking at the stunner or pandoramas arent going to give you what you are looking for

 

[sceia]

Ok, So I've decided to retrofit the t5's in the fixture. Would 4 64w t5's be too much or should I just run 2? I have the ballast for either...just need to know if it's too much or not...

Scott.

 

[jmg416]

I would stay away from the PCs also. The bulb cost and frequency of replacement was a bit too much for me.

 

[BigAl2007]

Scott I'd put as many T5's in there as you can fit AND keep cool. Also when doing it go ahead and opt for individual reflectors. In regards to the amount of USEABLE light getting down into the tank T5's will far out perform PC.

 

[sceia]

Scott I'd put as many T5's in there as you can fit AND keep cool. Also when doing it go ahead and opt for individual reflectors. In regards to the amount of USEABLE light getting down into the tank T5's will far out perform PC.

I was able to fit 3... 2 on one side...1 and the ballast on the other. Right now I'm using 3 blues. I was thinking of maybe swapping one of the blues out for a Fuji purple...but not sure. What you think?

 

[syrinx]

t5 bulbs are a size designation only. What matters is wattage and refectors. If the straight T5s have individual reflectors and ar HO- then they can be more effective because more can be fitted in the space. PCs are usually T5 HO bulbs as well- in some cases you can get more wattage in a space than you could with straight bulbs, and thus are a better choice. Watt for watt- same light output.