What lights? PC? t5? help on deciding

johnatbhs · 01/31/2011, 07:33 PM

I have a 75 gallon tank (48 inches long) that has mostly softies and a few lps corals. I wanted to know what my limitations are with my current lights. They are made by Current and hold 4 65watt power compact bulbs. Right now the bulbs need to be replaced pretty badly. Should i just take the money from replacing the bulbs and buy a different fixture? Maybe T5s? Money is kind of a big issue and i would like to get as much for my money as possible, which is why i have pretty much ruled out metal halides. Any suggestions?

tkeracer619 · 01/31/2011, 08:44 PM

I would run a t5 fixture.

You have to get one with individual reflectors or there is no point in the upgrade.

Acrotrdco · 01/31/2011, 08:59 PM

If money is a concern and you're only keeping LPS and softie, just DIY a LED fixture, since softies / LPS don't have such a high light requirement, for a 48" tank you really only need about 170w-200w of LED (50-70x 3w bulbs), and you don't really need to use Cree bulbs (they're expensive), and LED would last you years without having to replace bulbs, unlike T5, which you need to replace bulbs every 6-9 months depends on how much wattage you drive them.

Felixc395 · 01/31/2011, 11:04 PM

Well first of all, sorry to say. T5's don't need to be replaced every 6-9 months. It most like 9 months at the minimum if you are really overdriving them. Other than that you can expect anywhere from 18-24 months. Don't mean to be rude, if I was, i'm sorry. I live your tank, and your LED's make me jealous! haha

But back to the original question. If you just want to stick with softies and maybe LPS, a Tek 4 bulb 48" will work well and not too expensive at all. If you're looking at SPS, then go with 6 bulbs. But definitely replace your PC's with T5, you'll be happy you did.

Acrotrdco · 02/01/2011, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixc395

Well first of all, sorry to say. T5's don't need to be replaced every 6-9 months. It most like 9 months at the minimum if you are really overdriving them. Other than that you can expect anywhere from 18-24 months. Don't mean to be rude, if I was, i'm sorry. I live your tank, and your LED's make me jealous! haha

But back to the original question. If you just want to stick with softies and maybe LPS, a Tek 4 bulb 48" will work well and not too expensive at all. If you're looking at SPS, then go with 6 bulbs. But definitely replace your PC's with T5, you'll be happy you did.

Trust me, LEDs are the Jedi's and T5 are the Siths.

Haha now let the war begin, but to be honest I think it had began a few years ago already, the Siths won back then, but now is the time for the Jedis to strike back!

Felixc395 · 02/01/2011, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acrotrdco

Trust me, LEDs are the Jedi's and T5 are the Siths.

Haha now let the war begin, but to be honest I think it had began a few years ago already, the Siths won back then, but now is the time for the Jedis to strike back!

Hahahaha. I think both work well in different situations. I'd be happy with either one. Both, IMO, are better than MH.

01/31/2011, 07:33 PM	#1
johnatbhs Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: FL Posts: 30	What lights? PC? t5? help on deciding I have a 75 gallon tank (48 inches long) that has mostly softies and a few lps corals. I wanted to know what my limitations are with my current lights. They are made by Current and hold 4 65watt power compact bulbs. Right now the bulbs need to be replaced pretty badly. Should i just take the money from replacing the bulbs and buy a different fixture? Maybe T5s? Money is kind of a big issue and i would like to get as much for my money as possible, which is why i have pretty much ruled out metal halides. Any suggestions?

01/31/2011, 08:44 PM	#2
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I would run a t5 fixture. You have to get one with individual reflectors or there is no point in the upgrade. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

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01/31/2011, 08:59 PM	#3
Acrotrdco Moved On Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 708	If money is a concern and you're only keeping LPS and softie, just DIY a LED fixture, since softies / LPS don't have such a high light requirement, for a 48" tank you really only need about 170w-200w of LED (50-70x 3w bulbs), and you don't really need to use Cree bulbs (they're expensive), and LED would last you years without having to replace bulbs, unlike T5, which you need to replace bulbs every 6-9 months depends on how much wattage you drive them.

01/31/2011, 11:04 PM	#4
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	Well first of all, sorry to say. T5's don't need to be replaced every 6-9 months. It most like 9 months at the minimum if you are really overdriving them. Other than that you can expect anywhere from 18-24 months. Don't mean to be rude, if I was, i'm sorry. I live your tank, and your LED's make me jealous! haha But back to the original question. If you just want to stick with softies and maybe LPS, a Tek 4 bulb 48" will work well and not too expensive at all. If you're looking at SPS, then go with 6 bulbs. But definitely replace your PC's with T5, you'll be happy you did.