Penetration of T5 vs PC

rwhhunt · 08/01/2006, 06:25 PM

I am transfering tanks from a 10 gallon minireef tank with zoos and shrooms, and converting to a 20 gall tall. I had 40 watts of PC in the 10 g and the soft corals seemed to do just fine, but With the added depth of the 20 tall, and they buzz about the T5's being better lights, what would be a better choice for my tank:
28w T5 (2 bulbs)
or 110-130W PC???

I am only looking to keep basic zoos and shrooms, but want to add an anemone in the future for the clowns in the tank.

The tank also has a DSB, 18LBS LR, nice clean up crew, and will be designed for a mantis.

rwhhunt · 08/01/2006, 06:27 PM

I also found that they offer the High Output T5 that is 48W for the 24" fixture w/ two bulbs.
So 48W T5 Vs 110-130W PC???

fishnfst · 08/01/2006, 09:44 PM

If you are going to do a 20H why don't you just get a 4 bulb fixture.. It will fit perfectly over the top... The hydroponics shops out around here have 4 bulb sunlight supply new wave fixtures for like $75 with no bulbs or $115 with 4 daylight bulbs... I have both a 130w pc and a 96w t5ho.. The t5's are definitely brighter to the eye within the same spectrum....

twkenny · 08/01/2006, 09:53 PM

If you have the opportunity to go to T5's, I'd do it in a second. I'll NEVER own PC's again.

08/01/2006, 06:25 PM	#1
rwhhunt Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,128	Penetration of T5 vs PC I am transfering tanks from a 10 gallon minireef tank with zoos and shrooms, and converting to a 20 gall tall. I had 40 watts of PC in the 10 g and the soft corals seemed to do just fine, but With the added depth of the 20 tall, and they buzz about the T5's being better lights, what would be a better choice for my tank: 28w T5 (2 bulbs) or 110-130W PC??? I am only looking to keep basic zoos and shrooms, but want to add an anemone in the future for the clowns in the tank. The tank also has a DSB, 18LBS LR, nice clean up crew, and will be designed for a mantis.

08/01/2006, 06:27 PM	#2
rwhhunt Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,128	I also found that they offer the High Output T5 that is 48W for the 24" fixture w/ two bulbs. So 48W T5 Vs 110-130W PC???

08/01/2006, 09:44 PM	#3
fishnfst Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,110	If you are going to do a 20H why don't you just get a 4 bulb fixture.. It will fit perfectly over the top... The hydroponics shops out around here have 4 bulb sunlight supply new wave fixtures for like $75 with no bulbs or $115 with 4 daylight bulbs... I have both a 130w pc and a 96w t5ho.. The t5's are definitely brighter to the eye within the same spectrum....

08/01/2006, 09:53 PM	#4
twkenny Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sunny South Posts: 1,081	If you have the opportunity to go to T5's, I'd do it in a second. I'll NEVER own PC's again.