T5 vs PC's

FOREIGNER · 03/01/2007, 03:53 PM

Hello everyone, i wonder if I can get some advice regarding T5 lighting. I currently operate my 55 gal w/ softies and LPS w/ 4x65pc's but i hear all kinds of arguments about t5 being great.
i was thinking tek 48" t5 6 lamps at 54w and what kinds, if any, of sps could i keep?
Thanks

reefman23 · 03/01/2007, 07:06 PM

The 6-lamp tek is a crapload of light and you could keep any SPS and clams under those. You would have to be very careful not to bleach out the softies and lps that you currently have in the tank.

But remember that there is alot more to SPS than just lighting. You have to have proper Ca, Alk, pH, nitrate/nitrite, and phos levels, proper water movement, and everything must be stable including salinity and temp.

HTH,

Jesse

pjf · 03/01/2007, 07:14 PM

T5 lighting has two advantages over PC lighting: efficiency and individual reflectors for each bulb.

â€¢ PC or pin-based high-wattage compact fluorescent lamps (HW-CFL) generate ~60 lumens per watt: http://lightingresearch.org/programs...L-efficacy.asp.
â€¢ T5 lighting produces 90-100 lumens per watt: http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpi.../lat5/pc1a.asp.

T5 fixtures with individual reflectors will direct even more light into your aquarium that would otherwise be wasted.

wtac · 03/01/2007, 07:27 PM

Up here in Canada, the cost of bulb replacement. For a 4' unit, T5HOs are $30ea and 55/65wPC $50-60ea. Online prices are a bit cheaper but the shipping eats those savings if one doesn't order over $200. Not sure what the avg prices are in the US LFS vs online.

One also has to look at total cost of ownership on these things

.

wtac · 03/01/2007, 07:28 PM

Up here in Canada, the cost of bulb replacement. For a 4' unit, T5HOs are $30ea and 55/65wPC $50-60ea. Online prices are a bit cheaper but the shipping eats those savings if one doesn't order over $200. Not sure what the avg prices are in the US LFS vs online.

One also has to look at total cost of ownership on these things

. Power consumption, replacement intervals, etc.

The trend here is slowly going towards T5HOs for set-ups of max 24" in height.

FOREIGNER · 03/02/2007, 11:36 AM

SO YOU GUYS WOULD RECOMMEND I GET A LITTLE MORE EXPERIENCE UNDER MY BELT BEFORE I LAUNCH INTO SPS?
I RECENTLY PURCHASED 2 HYDOR KORALIS #3 AT 850G/H RATE
IS THAT ENOUGH FOR MY 55GAL? I CURRENTLY HAVE 2 PENGUIN POWERHEADS BUT I GET STUFF BEHIND THE ROCKS WHEN I SYPHIN I HAVE TO POINT A POWERHEAD TO THE ROCKS IN ORDER TO REMOVE DETRITUS, WILL THESE MORE POWERFULL KORALIAS RESOLVE THAT?? THANK FOR THE HELP, I AM TRYING TO DO THIS RIGHT AND I REFUSE TO SACRIFICE ANY AMINALS DUE TO IGNORANCE
THANKS

FOREIGNER · 03/02/2007, 12:57 PM

SO YOU GUYS WOULD RECOMMEND I GET A LITTLE MORE EXPERIENCE UNDER MY BELT BEFORE I LAUNCH INTO SPS?
I RECENTLY PURCHASED 2 HYDOR KORALIS #3 AT 850G/H RATE
IS THAT ENOUGH FOR MY 55GAL? I CURRENTLY HAVE 2 PENGUIN POWERHEADS BUT I GET STUFF BEHIND THE ROCKS WHEN I SYPHIN I HAVE TO POINT A POWERHEAD TO THE ROCKS IN ORDER TO REMOVE DETRITUS, WILL THESE MORE POWERFULL KORALIAS RESOLVE THAT?? THANK FOR THE HELP, I AM TRYING TO DO THIS RIGHT AND I REFUSE TO SACRIFICE ANY AMINALS DUE TO IGNORANCE
THANKS

03/01/2007, 03:53 PM	#1
FOREIGNER Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: La Petite Roche Posts: 273	T5 vs PC's Hello everyone, i wonder if I can get some advice regarding T5 lighting. I currently operate my 55 gal w/ softies and LPS w/ 4x65pc's but i hear all kinds of arguments about t5 being great. i was thinking tek 48" t5 6 lamps at 54w and what kinds, if any, of sps could i keep? Thanks

03/01/2007, 07:06 PM	#2
reefman23 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca Posts: 740	The 6-lamp tek is a crapload of light and you could keep any SPS and clams under those. You would have to be very careful not to bleach out the softies and lps that you currently have in the tank. But remember that there is alot more to SPS than just lighting. You have to have proper Ca, Alk, pH, nitrate/nitrite, and phos levels, proper water movement, and everything must be stable including salinity and temp. HTH, Jesse

03/01/2007, 07:14 PM	#3
pjf Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,954	Efficiency and Reflectors T5 lighting has two advantages over PC lighting: efficiency and individual reflectors for each bulb. â€¢ PC or pin-based high-wattage compact fluorescent lamps (HW-CFL) generate ~60 lumens per watt: http://lightingresearch.org/programs...L-efficacy.asp. â€¢ T5 lighting produces 90-100 lumens per watt: http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpi.../lat5/pc1a.asp. T5 fixtures with individual reflectors will direct even more light into your aquarium that would otherwise be wasted.

03/01/2007, 07:27 PM	#4
wtac Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toronto and Calgary, Canada Posts: 377	Up here in Canada, the cost of bulb replacement. For a 4' unit, T5HOs are $30ea and 55/65wPC $50-60ea. Online prices are a bit cheaper but the shipping eats those savings if one doesn't order over $200. Not sure what the avg prices are in the US LFS vs online. One also has to look at total cost of ownership on these things .

03/01/2007, 07:28 PM	#5
wtac Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toronto and Calgary, Canada Posts: 377	Up here in Canada, the cost of bulb replacement. For a 4' unit, T5HOs are $30ea and 55/65wPC $50-60ea. Online prices are a bit cheaper but the shipping eats those savings if one doesn't order over $200. Not sure what the avg prices are in the US LFS vs online. One also has to look at total cost of ownership on these things . Power consumption, replacement intervals, etc. The trend here is slowly going towards T5HOs for set-ups of max 24" in height.

03/02/2007, 11:36 AM	#6
FOREIGNER Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: La Petite Roche Posts: 273	SO YOU GUYS WOULD RECOMMEND I GET A LITTLE MORE EXPERIENCE UNDER MY BELT BEFORE I LAUNCH INTO SPS? I RECENTLY PURCHASED 2 HYDOR KORALIS #3 AT 850G/H RATE IS THAT ENOUGH FOR MY 55GAL? I CURRENTLY HAVE 2 PENGUIN POWERHEADS BUT I GET STUFF BEHIND THE ROCKS WHEN I SYPHIN I HAVE TO POINT A POWERHEAD TO THE ROCKS IN ORDER TO REMOVE DETRITUS, WILL THESE MORE POWERFULL KORALIAS RESOLVE THAT?? THANK FOR THE HELP, I AM TRYING TO DO THIS RIGHT AND I REFUSE TO SACRIFICE ANY AMINALS DUE TO IGNORANCE THANKS

03/02/2007, 12:57 PM	#7
FOREIGNER Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: La Petite Roche Posts: 273	SO YOU GUYS WOULD RECOMMEND I GET A LITTLE MORE EXPERIENCE UNDER MY BELT BEFORE I LAUNCH INTO SPS? I RECENTLY PURCHASED 2 HYDOR KORALIS #3 AT 850G/H RATE IS THAT ENOUGH FOR MY 55GAL? I CURRENTLY HAVE 2 PENGUIN POWERHEADS BUT I GET STUFF BEHIND THE ROCKS WHEN I SYPHIN I HAVE TO POINT A POWERHEAD TO THE ROCKS IN ORDER TO REMOVE DETRITUS, WILL THESE MORE POWERFULL KORALIAS RESOLVE THAT?? THANK FOR THE HELP, I AM TRYING TO DO THIS RIGHT AND I REFUSE TO SACRIFICE ANY AMINALS DUE TO IGNORANCE THANKS