Which lights are better

Pinballfish · 01/19/2010, 05:51 PM

I am setting up a 50 gal reef tank that is 36 inches across. I am debating on power compact or HO T5. i havnt had any experience with T5 but everyone likes them. I need opinions on which is better.

James77 · 01/19/2010, 05:55 PM

T5s are far better than PCs so long as you use individual reflectors and cooling.

rtparty · 01/19/2010, 05:58 PM

No doubt about the T5's being better. Just get yourself a good fixture and some good bulbs the first time around. Saves a lot of money and hassle.

slm32123 · 01/19/2010, 06:00 PM

I would say go with LED's, they will save you a lot of money in the long run, and the bulbs last much longer, and it doesn't put out near as much heat on your tank

James77 · 01/19/2010, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slm32123

I would say go with LED's, they will save you a lot of money in the long run, and the bulbs last much longer, and it doesn't put out near as much heat on your tank

The money saved in electric would take many years to pay for the difference in prices between even a top of the line T5 fixture and a high-end LED fixture. Actively cooled T5s impart very little heat to the tank, most is blown away. The lifespan on LEDs and their fixtures is kind of a gamble-

01/19/2010, 05:51 PM	#1
Pinballfish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 25	Which lights are better I am setting up a 50 gal reef tank that is 36 inches across. I am debating on power compact or HO T5. i havnt had any experience with T5 but everyone likes them. I need opinions on which is better.

01/19/2010, 05:55 PM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	T5s are far better than PCs so long as you use individual reflectors and cooling. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

01/19/2010, 05:58 PM	#3
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	No doubt about the T5's being better. Just get yourself a good fixture and some good bulbs the first time around. Saves a lot of money and hassle. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

01/19/2010, 06:00 PM	#4
slm32123 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 28	I would say go with LED's, they will save you a lot of money in the long run, and the bulbs last much longer, and it doesn't put out near as much heat on your tank __________________ 10g, 6lbs LR, 2 Oscellaris clowns, 10 lbs. LS, cleaner shrimp, astrea snails, blue legged hermits. 35g hex, almost finished cycling, 4 lbs LR, 20lbs LS, 10lbs coral sand. Current Tank Info: 10 gal for trapping bad hitchhikers, and quarantine.