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12/27/2008, 06:37 PM
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#1 |
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Reef Custodian
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: FL.
Posts: 954
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T-5 Or Pc?
I am going to buy new lighting for my newly set up 55 gal. tank.should i go t-5 or pc ? I am on a budget of about $250.00 .
What brand / watts should i get and where is a good place to buy?I want a mixed reef i dont need to have it all as far as corals go but would like a nice mix of colors. PS I would like a BTA for my clowns.
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Stromalitic cyanobacteria!... Gather. An entire ecosystem contained in one infinitesimal speck. Last edited by ed102475; 12/27/2008 at 06:45 PM. |
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12/27/2008, 06:42 PM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Jonesboro, AR
Posts: 414
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If you want to keep a BTA later on and high light corals, then t-5's all the way. with the Pc's you will end up wanting to upgrade later and a 4-6 bulb t-5 will save you alot in the long run. And the bulb replacement is alot cheaper as well overall.
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Always remember, no matter where you go, there you are. "Buckaroo Banzai" Current Tank Info: 2-75 Gal Mixed Reefs / with T-5 Nova Extremes // 1-10 gal nano reef w/ PC's |
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12/27/2008, 06:42 PM
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#3 |
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Mangroves are kool.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 5,246
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T-5 kills PC. long story short it is much better than PC. for $250 i recommend buying used as many of the high quality fixtures (trust me you don't want to go cheap as it makes the T-5 weak) are around $300 and up
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-The Wiz Current Tank Info: Elos Mini Seahorse Tank, 2500 gallon Koi pond |
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12/27/2008, 06:52 PM
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#4 |
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Reef Custodian
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: FL.
Posts: 954
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Ok well T-5 was the way i was leaning what about this?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...0&pcatid=16770 the 48" 216 watts
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Stromalitic cyanobacteria!... Gather. An entire ecosystem contained in one infinitesimal speck. Last edited by ed102475; 12/27/2008 at 07:00 PM. |
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12/27/2008, 07:04 PM
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#5 |
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Registered Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,907
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Make sure whatever you get has individual relectors.
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Always remember.... any time you reef, you also reef with every reefer that reefer has reefed with. Mitch 2/18/10 IWNFT343F Current Tank Info: Innovative Marine 20 |
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12/27/2008, 08:43 PM
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#6 |
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Reef Custodian
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: FL.
Posts: 954
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Is this brand good?
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Stromalitic cyanobacteria!... Gather. An entire ecosystem contained in one infinitesimal speck. |
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12/27/2008, 08:50 PM
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#7 |
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Mangroves are kool.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 5,246
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I won't say it's bad but i won't say its good either, rather decent. your better of with their extreme model or a TEK fixture
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-The Wiz Current Tank Info: Elos Mini Seahorse Tank, 2500 gallon Koi pond |
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12/27/2008, 10:17 PM
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#8 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Montreal, South-Shore
Posts: 473
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TEK fixtures are awesome. Yea PC's are being phased out, too costly/not enough light/not many colors or whatever reason. T5's are just really nice lol.
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12/28/2008, 12:22 PM
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#9 |
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Reef Custodian
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: FL.
Posts: 954
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Stromalitic cyanobacteria!... Gather. An entire ecosystem contained in one infinitesimal speck. |
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12/28/2008, 12:51 PM
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#10 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Highland, Utah
Posts: 198
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build your own!! its easy and you get to put in the light you need not what will fit!
And its cheaper! Just look around to find what you need. |
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12/28/2008, 12:55 PM
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#11 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Los Angeles, 90049
Posts: 2,491
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t5s definitely, i've had both and t5s are soo much brighter. they make the tank look amazing, and i agree with getting individual reflectors.
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12/28/2008, 01:01 PM
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#12 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 745
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Wish I went with T-5, buty instead I bought PC. r5eally exspensive bulbs.
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Mitch Current Tank Info: 20g Mixed reef aquarium. |
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12/28/2008, 01:11 PM
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#13 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 61
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I have the 4 bulb TEK t5 fixture, and i previously had the 4x65w Coralife PC fixture. NIGHT AND DAY. t5 blows PC outta the water.
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-David- Fort Thomas, KY 75 Gallon Reef |
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12/28/2008, 01:19 PM
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#14 |
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Premium Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Southeastern Wisconsin
Posts: 4,521
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Seriously...buy used. You'll get a better fixture for your money than if you skimp on new equipment.
It's only new until you open the box anyways, so what's the difference?
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-Tyler Oceanic 58RR display/20H sump/fuge thread...follow the red house. Current Tank Info: Oceanic 58g, 20H sump, AquaC EV-150, 175w Hamilton 14k + 2x39w T5HO Actinics |
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12/28/2008, 01:23 PM
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#15 |
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Reef Custodian
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: FL.
Posts: 954
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ok show me what i need in t-5's for a 55.
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Stromalitic cyanobacteria!... Gather. An entire ecosystem contained in one infinitesimal speck. |
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12/28/2008, 01:59 PM
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#16 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 61
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definatly get used....i got a 4 bulb TEK fixture for 175 at my local reef club...do you belong to a local club? or check your local craigslist...
http://www.aquacave.com/tek-light-t-...upply-691.html here is what you need...
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-David- Fort Thomas, KY 75 Gallon Reef |
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