t5 vs. PC-Reef Lighting-3reef Forums

Twan013 · 04-09-2007, 07:49 PM

hey guys and gals... i've recently learned that i don't necessarily need MH lights, which is a relief for me and my wallet, because i don't really want any SPS corals... here's what i want to have ... 2 LPS (frogspawn and candycane coral), and then some mushrooms and polyps (starburst, and colony).... and i've decided that either t5's or PC's will work perfectly... my question is this : which would be better? of all the 48" t5 system i've seen, the wattage had been 216... and PC's 260w... just based on that, the PC's would seem the way to go... however, more people seem to lean more on t5's... why is this? why is this? is it sort of like LED's as compared to regular bulbs? as in, they are a lot brighter, but use less energy? at each website i've looked at, both types seem to be about the same, as far as price (marinedepot has a t5 for 256, and 3 different PC's priced between 230 and 266)... and on aquatraders, the pc and t5 are exactly the same price, at 99 bucks... (i understand that aquatraders sells their stuff for cheap because the lights that come with them aren't any good, like, they may burn out in a week or whatever) but at aquatraders, instead of t5, they have t6, which means absolutely nothing to me, so could someone explain that? oh, and i'm wanting a whole "all-in-one" light kit, that has the standard white lights, actinics, and LED's for nighttime viewing... so, back to my original question... T5's or PC's? which is better, and what's the difference? oh, by the way, i've got a 55 gallon, 48 wide, 21 deep, 12.5 front to back.. i'm thinking the difference between the two would be which one penetrates the water, down to the sandbed better?

Bruce · 04-09-2007, 09:33 PM

T-5 All the way, PC is nothing compared to the power of T-5HO. I upgraded from 260w pc to 216w T-5 and my sps are going wild. I have about the same tank as you do.

I would go into more detail...but I am sure there are plenty of threads with the raw data comparisons.

geekdafied · 04-09-2007, 09:49 PM

You can get T5s in 6x54w and 8x54w as well. The comparisons for T5s and MHs are T5s with individual reflectors, not one big reflector. The individual reflectors produce 300% more light. 4x54w with individual reflectors is equal to a 400w MH.

Twan013 · 04-09-2007, 10:13 PM

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!! lol... i've only had one other response regarding this on "the other forum"... and it was just "yeah i got LPS growing fine under PC"... not exactly that, but basically... bruce, you actually have SPS? so then i CAN have tridacna clams under t5's? i ask this because i'm under the assumption that SPS and tridacna clams need the same light... is that tek light listed in your signature the one you're talking about here? where'd ya get it from and how much $$? .... does it have the individual reflectors that "the geek" is talking about? also, which lights have the individual reflectors, because of all the ones i've seen online, none of them mention it... i did find one that said "parabolic" reflectors... is that the same or diff? thanks guys for helping me out a BUNCH so far, and i look forward to even more indo!

Twan013 · 04-10-2007, 11:33 AM

ok, new list of questions! (y'all are gonna hate me and my stupid questions)

alright, i've been looking at the Tek Lights from sunlight supply, and i like them because they're the only ones i can find with the individual reflectors... i don't like them because they are a little out of my price range, considering you don't get LED's for night viewing, and you have to buy the bulbs separately.. plus, the mounting legs cost around 50 bucks (also sold separately)... i've found some reflectors that mount directly on the bulb itself (which means i can buy the Nova Extreme, and then put the individual reflectors on later when i'm ready to get corals, etc...) the only issue i have with the nova extreme, is that i read some reviews, and they all mentioned that the mounting legs are flimsy and on the cheap side, and they didn't even work on one reviewers aquarium...

it just seems like if i want to buy the tek light system, i'd be better off going to MH anyway! i'm a semi-newbie when it comes to SW, and i thought i had a pretty good bit of it figured out, but all these pure newbie questions about lights, its making me hate the whole SW idea all over again! if i could get EVERYTHING for the tek light for under 400 i'm sold! but considering the fixture is 300, then i gotta buy the bulbs, mounting legs, one or two timers, the LED's, the acrylic protective plate, it will end up being about the same as MH/HQI/CF/LED/whatever combo with mounting legs included.... so where's the better investment??

geekdafied · 04-10-2007, 12:51 PM

Twan013 · 04-10-2007, 03:15 PM

alright.. after a lot of stressing on if i'm making the right decision or not, i've opted for the nova extreme... besides the tek light option, this is all there is, IMO.. and since i get more options for less, i basically HAD to talk myself into it.. i read a few threads on here from people that have the nova extreme, and everyone seems to be very pleased, especially since they're in my same shoes.. the teklights being too expensive.. i should have mine thursday (overnight).. i still don't know if these have individual reflectors, but even if they don't, i've found some that i can get, and it would still be cheaper than the tek light... so i think its a wise decision on my part... thanks for all the help though!

nemo79 · 04-10-2007, 05:22 PM

I have the nova light and I have no problems with it. The lights are so bright it hurts my eyes! I do agree about the legs...pretty flimsy but they work on my tank and the light isn't heavy at all. The moonlight is really cool too.

I was going to go for the tek lights but as you said, $75cdn for legs, no lens to protect salt splash, no bulbs...a little pricey for getting almost nothing!

Twan013 · 04-10-2007, 05:41 PM

i wonder if there's some easy way to make the legs stronger? maybe making your own suppport legs? i can't wait to get mine in!!

RAVEN · 04-11-2007, 11:35 AM

I wouldn't worry about the individual reflectors. I read that the benefit of the individual reflectors is minimal in the benefit gained by your corals. You can buy legs for the 48" TEK lighting but they cost $54. The problem with the TEK light is that its deeper than a standard 48" 75g tank!
Current is coming out with a Nova T5 fixture in the fall that will have individual reflectors but it will be a 6 bulb version only. I would much rather have 8 bulbs than individual reflectors.