T5 vs. PC Lighting question?

NCADAM · 11/15/2007, 12:06 PM

Hello All,

I am wanting to do a softie reef. I am torn between t5 and PC lighting. Also, what is the minimum or maximum watts i should need for a 65 to 70 gallon tank for a softie.

Thanks , Adam
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WaterKeeper · 11/15/2007, 12:16 PM

I like the T-5's myself better than the PC's.

Much depends on the softies selected. Some will grow under normal home lighting while others need more. I'd use about 350 watts for a tank that size. That will also allow you to consider some hard corals latter on.

01saleen · 11/15/2007, 12:23 PM

for softies about 4 watts per gallon will give great results. I like the PC lighting my self. Before my halide i had PC lightinfg and everything grew and split happily.

snagged by reef · 11/15/2007, 12:31 PM

go with t5's. i had both and t5's blew PC's away. and now they are producing many different colored bulbs. it was just a matter of time before Europe got here.

reef1973 · 11/15/2007, 12:44 PM

Some soft corals such as Ricordea etc. can't grows under PC lighting. I would recommend you to go with T5. It will gives you more options to play with. Good luck.

RobNJ · 11/15/2007, 01:38 PM

T5 for sure... I would go with 6 x 54w T5 Bulbs with reflectors.

That should give you a combined wattage of 324w

DetectiveTofu · 11/15/2007, 01:43 PM

hmmm, well...
-less heat
-more light
-bulbs less expensive
-bulbs can be changed less frequently
-energy efficient
-take up less room to fit more bulbs in the same area
Yeah...go with T-5's

NCADAM · 11/15/2007, 03:31 PM

As usual thanks everyone!!!!

Adam

11/15/2007, 12:06 PM	#1
NCADAM Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Charlotte N.C. Posts: 126	T5 vs. PC Lighting question? Hello All, I am wanting to do a softie reef. I am torn between t5 and PC lighting. Also, what is the minimum or maximum watts i should need for a 65 to 70 gallon tank for a softie. Thanks , Adam [COLOR=royalblue][FONT=arial][SIZE=3]

11/15/2007, 12:16 PM	#2
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I like the T-5's myself better than the PC's. Much depends on the softies selected. Some will grow under normal home lighting while others need more. I'd use about 350 watts for a tank that size. That will also allow you to consider some hard corals latter on. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

11/15/2007, 12:23 PM	#3
01saleen Aquarium Addict Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Mateo,Ca Posts: 151	for softies about 4 watts per gallon will give great results. I like the PC lighting my self. Before my halide i had PC lightinfg and everything grew and split happily.

11/15/2007, 12:31 PM	#4
snagged by reef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Allentown, PA Posts: 157	go with t5's. i had both and t5's blew PC's away. and now they are producing many different colored bulbs. it was just a matter of time before Europe got here.

11/15/2007, 12:44 PM	#5
reef1973 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 53	Some soft corals such as Ricordea etc. can't grows under PC lighting. I would recommend you to go with T5. It will gives you more options to play with. Good luck.

11/15/2007, 01:38 PM	#6
RobNJ Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hasbrouck Heights, NJ Posts: 945	T5 for sure... I would go with 6 x 54w T5 Bulbs with reflectors. That should give you a combined wattage of 324w

11/15/2007, 01:43 PM	#7
DetectiveTofu Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,150	hmmm, well... -less heat -more light -bulbs less expensive -bulbs can be changed less frequently -energy efficient -take up less room to fit more bulbs in the same area Yeah...go with T-5's

11/15/2007, 03:31 PM	#8
NCADAM Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Charlotte N.C. Posts: 126	As usual thanks everyone!!!! Adam