T5 vs. PC Question

VP · 04/15/2008, 09:35 PM

Does anyone know how 48" 6x54W SLR T5 HO bulbs compares with the lighting I already have, 36" 4x96W PC's (2 actinic, 2 10000K)? I realize that the PC's have more wattage but does that translate into more light than the T5's?

TIA,
V

sjm817 · 04/15/2008, 09:44 PM

You would have a ton more light with the T5 setup.

dohc97 · 04/15/2008, 09:50 PM

No it does not, the HO t5s are a lot more efficient that pcs. Given a watt per watt comparison HO t5s put out more light and less heat. I would go with the t5s over pcs anyday. My friend had an sps dominated 75(48") that ran a tek 6 bulb fixture and he had amazing growth and coloration. Im personally very successful running 24" HO t5s.

VP · 04/15/2008, 09:52 PM

Thanks to you both. I convinced ... it's time for the T5 upgrade.

V

dohc97 · 04/15/2008, 10:00 PM

Here is a picture of my friends t5 setup before he switched to a bigger tank and mh. all corals seen were grown from frags under t5s.

VP · 04/15/2008, 10:06 PM

Very nice, great colors! Love those blue & green zoas. Thanks for the picture.

edit: add one more question. Do you have suggestions on the type of bulbs I should get? I hate that yellowish color the 10000k pc's give off.

LPS_Blasto · 04/15/2008, 10:10 PM

I'm using HO T5 lights in 24" and 48" length with great success.

I have 6 T5 24w HO over a 30g nano that is LPS dominated with plenty of zoas and mushrooms.

I also have 12 T5 54w HO over a 75g in a custom hood. The tank is a mixed reef and the corals are growing fast.

I had MH lights on my 75 with T5 kickers for actinic. Couldn't keep it cool. Tank shot to 84F in less than 6hrs. Fans only made the tank evaporate faster. Didn't do much to the temps. Took the MH off and made the T5 hood and the temps are steady at 76F

dohc97 · 04/15/2008, 10:31 PM

If you like a bluer look i would go with 3 ati aquablue specials and 3 ati blue plus bulbs. I currently use 2 of each and im very happy, no yellow anywhere and the coloration is very close to what my friends pic looks like. He was also using something similar.

VP · 04/15/2008, 10:42 PM

Great, thanks. I'm looking those up now.

V

04/15/2008, 09:35 PM	#1
VP Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: So Cal Posts: 339	T5 vs. PC Question Does anyone know how 48" 6x54W SLR T5 HO bulbs compares with the lighting I already have, 36" 4x96W PC's (2 actinic, 2 10000K)? I realize that the PC's have more wattage but does that translate into more light than the T5's? TIA, V

04/15/2008, 09:44 PM	#2
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	You would have a ton more light with the T5 setup. __________________ - Scott

04/15/2008, 09:50 PM	#3
dohc97 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 4,183	No it does not, the HO t5s are a lot more efficient that pcs. Given a watt per watt comparison HO t5s put out more light and less heat. I would go with the t5s over pcs anyday. My friend had an sps dominated 75(48") that ran a tek 6 bulb fixture and he had amazing growth and coloration. Im personally very successful running 24" HO t5s. __________________ "I upgraded my lighting to HID with angel eyes" Current Tank Info: IM 25 lagoon, diy stand, kessil A360we, mp10 wes qd, apex jr

04/15/2008, 10:00 PM	#5
dohc97 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 4,183	Here is a picture of my friends t5 setup before he switched to a bigger tank and mh. all corals seen were grown from frags under t5s. __________________ "I upgraded my lighting to HID with angel eyes" Current Tank Info: IM 25 lagoon, diy stand, kessil A360we, mp10 wes qd, apex jr

04/15/2008, 10:31 PM	#8
dohc97 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 4,183	If you like a bluer look i would go with 3 ati aquablue specials and 3 ati blue plus bulbs. I currently use 2 of each and im very happy, no yellow anywhere and the coloration is very close to what my friends pic looks like. He was also using something similar. __________________ "I upgraded my lighting to HID with angel eyes" Current Tank Info: IM 25 lagoon, diy stand, kessil A360we, mp10 wes qd, apex jr

04/15/2008, 09:52 PM	#4
VP Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: So Cal Posts: 339	Thanks to you both. I convinced ... it's time for the T5 upgrade. V

04/15/2008, 10:06 PM	#6
VP Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: So Cal Posts: 339	Very nice, great colors! Love those blue & green zoas. Thanks for the picture. edit: add one more question. Do you have suggestions on the type of bulbs I should get? I hate that yellowish color the 10000k pc's give off.

04/15/2008, 10:10 PM	#7
LPS_Blasto Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 581	I'm using HO T5 lights in 24" and 48" length with great success. I have 6 T5 24w HO over a 30g nano that is LPS dominated with plenty of zoas and mushrooms. I also have 12 T5 54w HO over a 75g in a custom hood. The tank is a mixed reef and the corals are growing fast. I had MH lights on my 75 with T5 kickers for actinic. Couldn't keep it cool. Tank shot to 84F in less than 6hrs. Fans only made the tank evaporate faster. Didn't do much to the temps. Took the MH off and made the T5 hood and the temps are steady at 76F

04/15/2008, 10:42 PM	#9
VP Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: So Cal Posts: 339	Great, thanks. I'm looking those up now. V