Upgrade from PC to T5

[Nabber86]

I have a 75-gallon (4-foor long) mixed reef tank with mostly soft corals and LPS. A few SPS frags placed on the very top of the LR. I am currently running a Coralife PC fixture with 2x65 watt actinics and 2x65 watt 10K bulbs. I am pretty happy with the current amount and quality of light, but the bulb replacement costs are killing me and I am thinking of upgrading to a T5 fixture. (Right now I replace the bulbs every 6 months at $80 to $100 total cost).

I have a couple of questions:

Right now I have a total power of 260 watts. If T5's are as good as they say, can I get by with a 4-bulb T5 system with less total watts (i.e. - 4 x 54 = 216 watts)? Or do I need to get a 6 bulb T5 setup. In general, is a T5 system MUCH Better, or about the same as a similar wattage PC system?

Do the T5 bulbs really last that much longer? I hear stories of 18 months to 2 years. Even if they last only 1 year, the upgrade to T5s will pay for istself in about 3 years to 4 years based on bulb cost alone. (I am in this for the long haul)

 

[Entropy]

Yes, yes, and yes.

The T5's will last longer than the PC's IMO, but I don't think you will get a full two years out of them. 18 months would be a more realistic goal IMO. IMO the 4 bulb kit will more than make up for the replaced PC's and save you some power at the same time.

 

[Wryknow]

Make sure that you acclimate your corals to the new light! If you just flip the switch on a new 4 x 54W T5 retrofit then you may lose some of them due to bleaching. The T5's are much brighter than the PCs IMHO.

 

[Nabber86]

So my tank will be noticebly brighter and more vivid with the same (or slightly less) T5 wattage? And the bulbs should last at least a year?

If that is true, I am sold.

Any other opinions out there?

 

[TrojanScott]

If heat isn't an issue, and you can do it, my only other question would be this... why not Halides? I don't want to get into the T5 /MH argument, but if you plan on doing more SPS, and basically be able to keep whatever you want, why not go with what most would agree is the best option, halides?

I've wasted money on PC's myself, and wish I'd have just spent the money on a halide set up from day one.

I debated T5's for some time though, but halides just seem like the safest, best way to go.

 

[joseney21]

but he can keep whatever he wants with t5s. i see your point about playing it safe, getting halides would be the safer more proven option.danano's tank of the month a while back and now iwans tank from germany are just two of many amazing t5 illuminated sps dominated tanks.

 

[joseney21]

i took the plunge...just ordered a four bulb retro and should have my hood running by next weeks end, if it's not enough light i'll go with another four bulbs (i have a 90g) and see how that helps.if i see i'm having problems with my corals and the change in light i'll try screens, moving the corals down and moving the lights up.

 

[Codeman00]

I totally agree with TrojanScott. Go Metal Halides. I went the T5 route thinking I could save money, less heat, etc. I was dead wrong. T5s have all kinds of issues..some corals will melt away under them. With Metal Halides, I havent had any problems. I even went with 175Wx2 10Ks..hardly any heat, but work really well.

 

[TrojanScott]

I haven't tried T5's, and I'm sure they're good for some. I'm not knocking them. But, I've heard others complain about them, (bleaching, too hot, etc, ) and it's not a cheap investment. If you're going to drop money into it, why not just go halide?
Just my .02. Take it from me, I wasted money on PC's trying to incorperate MORE under my hood when I upgraded my tank, thinking I'd save money this way. I basically threw that money away.

 

[Codeman00]

I have tried T5s and wouldn't suggest that anyone use them except for actinics / dusk / dawn.

 

[Nabber86]

Thanks for the comments. What I would really, really like is a combo MH/T5 setup. The only problem is the parting with the $700+ to purchase one. (Or maybe I should wait a few years for prices to come down?).

A lot of my decision is based on the economics of the situation. From what am hearing, it sounds like T5s may be the way to go. Of course realizing that this may limit my live stock selection.

 

[Wryknow]

Let us know how the T5s work out for you! I am very pleased that I made the decision to go with T5s personally.

 

[bigfruits]

what i heard of that is a good way to get your coral used to the t5s is to put 3 window screens under the light. every week take one off. many people use this method to acclimate.

 

[brreef]

I went with the 5 bulb t5 fixture from aquatinics. i have not lost any corals but only run 3 of the 5 so-far and less lighting peroid, to adjust my lps and softy tank. I have had these running about 2 weeks now and will start upping my lighting tme slowly. Just the three bulbs are much brighter then my old pc's.

 

[horkn]

most people that use t5ho have very good results. its hard to argue against that.


I dont blame my t5ho lights for my bryopsis issue.. if you see a well maintained t5ho tank, you wont argue with the results.

 

[bllfish]

I run the T5's and have had no problems with bleaching corals.
You only need MH for the shimmer effect and a bluer color.

 

[bllfish]

bluer??

 

[cato]

Well, I made up my mind as well. Setting up a second tank (38g) and was trying to decide on T5 or PC. Going with the T5's. My 54g has the MH/PC combo and it's only 6 mos old. Not ready to shell out the $ for another one at this time.

 

[bllfish]

T5 tank

T5 tank

I switched from 5 65 W pc to 4 54W T5 - best decision I ever made