Change to T5HO lighting from PC?

$eaba$$ · 01/16/2009, 02:21 AM

Hey guys,

I have a small dilemma here about what I should do. Currently, I have a retrofit hood with 2x65 watt power compacts with individual parabolic reflectors. I can get a good deal on a 2x24 watt t5ho light system, $30. Then, I could purchase another one for $40 or so. This is craigslist, hence, why the cheap prices. Would having two 2x24 watt t5ho fixtures be as good as one 4x24 watt fixture, which would be much more expensive. I wouldn't mind the look of the two fixtures, and would this be an upgrade from what I currently have?

Thanks!

InsaneClownFish · 01/16/2009, 04:54 AM

Either would be an upgrade from what you have if the T5s have individual reflectors.

cur10u5g30rg3 · 01/16/2009, 07:24 AM

4 x 24 with good reflector and a decent ballast would definately be an upgrade. The thing I like about t-5 lighting is the option for bulbs is much better than with pc's.

Becareful with the Odyssea fictrues as the ones I have come across have the own weird little ballast in them. You can upgrade these and make them decent fixture but it would cost you another 30 to 60 dollars.

$eaba$$ · 01/16/2009, 11:42 AM

What if it would be two 2x24 watt fixtures with only one big reflector per fixture. This seems better as it's only 2 bulbs per reflector instead of four. What do you think?

$eaba$$ · 01/16/2009, 06:56 PM

what if I were to gut the 2x24 watt t5 and retrofit it into my hood and take out one pc. That would leave me with 1x65 watt pc and 2x24 watt t5ho. hows that sound?

01/16/2009, 02:21 AM	#1
$eaba$$ Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: California Posts: 254	Change to T5HO lighting from PC? Hey guys, I have a small dilemma here about what I should do. Currently, I have a retrofit hood with 2x65 watt power compacts with individual parabolic reflectors. I can get a good deal on a 2x24 watt t5ho light system, $30. Then, I could purchase another one for $40 or so. This is craigslist, hence, why the cheap prices. Would having two 2x24 watt t5ho fixtures be as good as one 4x24 watt fixture, which would be much more expensive. I wouldn't mind the look of the two fixtures, and would this be an upgrade from what I currently have? Thanks!

01/16/2009, 04:54 AM	#2
InsaneClownFish Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,069	Either would be an upgrade from what you have if the T5s have individual reflectors. __________________ 7 Years Reefing and Many Fresh 8 Foot Envisions

01/16/2009, 11:42 AM	#4
$eaba$$ Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: California Posts: 254	What if it would be two 2x24 watt fixtures with only one big reflector per fixture. This seems better as it's only 2 bulbs per reflector instead of four. What do you think? __________________ 20 Gallon Reef: 2 Ocellaris Clowns, 2 Green Chromis, 1 Skunk Cleaner 1 H. Mag, 1 GBTA, Xenia, Mushrooms 4x24w T5HO, HOB 4gal fuge (chaeto) and Skimmer

01/16/2009, 06:56 PM	#5
$eaba$$ Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: California Posts: 254	what if I were to gut the 2x24 watt t5 and retrofit it into my hood and take out one pc. That would leave me with 1x65 watt pc and 2x24 watt t5ho. hows that sound? __________________ 20 Gallon Reef: 2 Ocellaris Clowns, 2 Green Chromis, 1 Skunk Cleaner 1 H. Mag, 1 GBTA, Xenia, Mushrooms 4x24w T5HO, HOB 4gal fuge (chaeto) and Skimmer

01/16/2009, 07:24 AM	#3
cur10u5g30rg3 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orlando Posts: 534	4 x 24 with good reflector and a decent ballast would definately be an upgrade. The thing I like about t-5 lighting is the option for bulbs is much better than with pc's. Becareful with the Odyssea fictrues as the ones I have come across have the own weird little ballast in them. You can upgrade these and make them decent fixture but it would cost you another 30 to 60 dollars.