Confusion between T5 and PC

lowfi · 12-21-2007, 07:47 PM

OK,

I was at the LFS and a worker there had a 37 gallon cube with dual 65's PC over it (24"). The tank was super deep (hmm i would confidently guess +24") and he was growing great stuff, even a large montipora. Now after seeing the success of this cube with only 130 watts of PC...I started to contemplate the whole lighting thing again..wondering if I should do the Orbit 24 hour system with dual 96w PC over my tank that will be only 15" deep MAX, or if I should stay with my original T5 plan. He said that T5's need to be replaced ~every six months whereas a PC bulb can be switched out annually. Save some $$ there for sure. So now Im back to the drawing board trying to figure out which route to go and what the benefits are of T5 over PC.

Thanks

Sean

panmanmatt · 12-21-2007, 07:56 PM

PC's can grow a montipora but no other SPS or clams. They don't have the PAR that T5's do.

As for replacement, it is the other way around. PC's should be changed out every 9-12 months where as T5's can go 12-18 months.

lowfi · 12-21-2007, 07:58 PM

hmm really thats weird, lol he said the exact opposite...who to trust!!

ReefGuy69 · 12-21-2007, 08:01 PM

Well i have PC's and i would say go with the T-5's... you are limited to what you can eventually get. I would one day like a clam but cannot because i limited myself by getting PC's.. youll probably one day be in the same boat if you went with the PC's and now i have to decide to upgrade to MH or T-5's or cross a clam or other SPS's if i ever want to get them.

prow · 12-21-2007, 08:01 PM

lol, no PC's do not hold there spectrums longer than T5's. like panmanmatt said T5's will last about 2x longer than PC's, that is if you keep the bulbs cool.

lowfi · 12-21-2007, 08:06 PM

I think i am going to get the nova extreme pro...do you guys like 40 gallon breeders for reef setups or do you find that taller tanks are nicer???

prow · 12-21-2007, 08:09 PM

the bigger you can go the better. IMO wider/longer tanks are better than taller tanks, in general terms that is.

reefman420 · 12-21-2007, 09:02 PM

lol,wow dont listen to that guy,pc's need replaced long b4 t5,a good t5 set up with individual reflectors are just as good as halids,But i went with halides because the shimmering affect.Plus i knew as soon as i got ahold of this thing i would want sps.Then a clam,eveything is doing awsome...If i was u i would opt for halide or t5(must have individual reflectors)Unless u wanna stick to softies,this means no anemone eathier

lowfi · 12-21-2007, 10:18 PM

anemones wont work under t5's???? even if its 6x39w over 16" of water???

reefman420 · 12-21-2007, 10:42 PM

no sry,u can under t5's not pc,same with clams

JFK_Jr · 12-21-2007, 10:45 PM

Power compacts are soon coming out in VHO... will have as much par, if not more than T5's.

JFK_Jr · 12-21-2007, 10:48 PM

48 inch Helios VHO T6 IV PL Power Compact Fluorescent Light Fixture. Single bulb fixture for 200 watt VHO T6 PL Power Compact Bulb.

JFK_Jr · 12-21-2007, 10:54 PM

Quote:

*VHO; this stands for “Very High Output”. These come in T-5 thru T-12 standard fluorescent tubes and in the newer power compact (usually 4 pin) lamps such as the New generation Via Aqua Helios VHO . The new Helios come in a variety of sizes with outputs up to 180 watts out of lamps under 40 inches in length, which rival many Metal Halide (although not in depth penetration). These new higher output VHO fixtures/lamps have higher Kelvin and wattage output than previous generation VHO lamps/fixtures of similar size. These can be used for both marine reef applications as well as freshwater planted aquariums (these new VHOs are not scheduled for full release to the public until early 2008).

Quote:

outputs up to 180 watts

I've seen where it's 200 watts

prow · 12-23-2007, 12:01 AM

here you go. this is a 80gal with 4x54w T5's. there are so many examples of what you can do with T5's. the best thing, IMO, about T5's besides the heat is you can set the same lighting system up for a tank like this. or if you want to change up you can take off a couple reflectors or go with one big reflector and go softies , lps ect...i too like the shimmer lines from MH's. i even like the look of MH with VHO sups more than T5's but in no way does that mean i dont like the look of T5's or am not able to grow whatever under them.

Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Feature Aquarium: The Aquarium of Frank Esser

tbittner · 12-23-2007, 12:57 AM

Can T5's be dimmed with a rheostat? I don't think MH's can, right?

12-21-2007, 07:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
lowfi Midas Blenny Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 95 View Gallery Karma Komment	Confusion between T5 and PC OK, I was at the LFS and a worker there had a 37 gallon cube with dual 65's PC over it (24"). The tank was super deep (hmm i would confidently guess +24") and he was growing great stuff, even a large montipora. Now after seeing the success of this cube with only 130 watts of PC...I started to contemplate the whole lighting thing again..wondering if I should do the Orbit 24 hour system with dual 96w PC over my tank that will be only 15" deep MAX, or if I should stay with my original T5 plan. He said that T5's need to be replaced ~every six months whereas a PC bulb can be switched out annually. Save some $$ there for sure. So now Im back to the drawing board trying to figure out which route to go and what the benefits are of T5 over PC. Thanks Sean

12-21-2007, 07:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
panmanmatt Acropora Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waretown, NJ Posts: 1,908 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Confusion between T5 and PC PC's can grow a montipora but no other SPS or clams. They don't have the PAR that T5's do. As for replacement, it is the other way around. PC's should be changed out every 9-12 months where as T5's can go 12-18 months. __________________ The mind is like a parachute, it only works when opened. (\__/) (='.'=) (")_(")

12-21-2007, 07:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
lowfi Midas Blenny Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 95 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Confusion between T5 and PC hmm really thats weird, lol he said the exact opposite...who to trust!!

12-21-2007, 08:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
ReefGuy69 Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 746 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Confusion between T5 and PC Well i have PC's and i would say go with the T-5's... you are limited to what you can eventually get. I would one day like a clam but cannot because i limited myself by getting PC's.. youll probably one day be in the same boat if you went with the PC's and now i have to decide to upgrade to MH or T-5's or cross a clam or other SPS's if i ever want to get them. __________________ Dennis ________ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...journal-3.html 55gal AGA w/ built in overflow 15 gal acrylic DIY sump/fuge 75lbs Fiji Live Rock 45lbs of Live Sand 1-1/2inch (1) 96 watt Super Blue Actinic Power Compact (2) 96 Watt 10,000k Power Compacts (2) Ebo Jager 200 watt heaters Seaclone 150 Skimmer (2) Hagen 50's Power Heads for flow (1) Hagen 70 Return Pump DIY ATO system (5 Gal) Mini Aqua Lights for fuge (10k/Actinic03) TLF 150 Phosban Reactor 12X turnover rate 2 Ocellaris Clownfish, 1 Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp, 1 Peppermint Shrimp, Neon Green Hairy Mushrooms, Red Zoanthus Polyps.

12-21-2007, 08:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
prow Manta Ray Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 3,854 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Confusion between T5 and PC lol, no PC's do not hold there spectrums longer than T5's. like panmanmatt said T5's will last about 2x longer than PC's, that is if you keep the bulbs cool. __________________ "He who sees things grow from their beginnings shall have the finest view of them" ........Aristotle........ "The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad." - Salvador Dali my chronicle........ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...al-system.html

12-21-2007, 08:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
lowfi Midas Blenny Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 95 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Confusion between T5 and PC I think i am going to get the nova extreme pro...do you guys like 40 gallon breeders for reef setups or do you find that taller tanks are nicer???

12-21-2007, 08:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
prow Manta Ray Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 3,854 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Confusion between T5 and PC the bigger you can go the better. IMO wider/longer tanks are better than taller tanks, in general terms that is. __________________ "He who sees things grow from their beginnings shall have the finest view of them" ........Aristotle........ "The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad." - Salvador Dali my chronicle........ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...al-system.html

12-21-2007, 09:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
reefman420 Elegance coral Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: minneapolis Posts: 1,085 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Confusion between T5 and PC lol,wow dont listen to that guy,pc's need replaced long b4 t5,a good t5 set up with individual reflectors are just as good as halids,But i went with halides because the shimmering affect.Plus i knew as soon as i got ahold of this thing i would want sps.Then a clam,eveything is doing awsome...If i was u i would opt for halide or t5(must have individual reflectors)Unless u wanna stick to softies,this means no anemone eathier __________________ 155 oceanic bow front,20 long refuge packed with caluerpa and mangroves,40 gallon sump,175lbs LR,3x250 watt xm 10ks,aqua-c remora,and pro-clear 150 skimmers sailfin tang,kole tang,royal gramma,cinnimon clown,2xpink skunk clowns,six line wrasse,mandarin, 155 bow coral-orange montipora cap,superman monti cap,scripps green polyped staghorn,ORA pink poccilipora,ORA blue millipora,green slimer,yellow UK acro,pink birdsnest,armor of god zoas,various zoas and shrooms,hammer,frogspawn,clove polyps,favite,fancey toadstool,reg toadstool,yellow leather,purple leather,devils hand,2 types xenia,ricordea florida,ricordea yuma,kenya tree,galaxia,bubble coral,button polyps inverts are lots of snails and hermits,crocea clam,maxima clam and seabae anemone,rbta

12-21-2007, 10:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
lowfi Midas Blenny Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 95 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Confusion between T5 and PC anemones wont work under t5's???? even if its 6x39w over 16" of water???

12-21-2007, 10:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
reefman420 Elegance coral Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: minneapolis Posts: 1,085 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Confusion between T5 and PC no sry,u can under t5's not pc,same with clams __________________ 155 oceanic bow front,20 long refuge packed with caluerpa and mangroves,40 gallon sump,175lbs LR,3x250 watt xm 10ks,aqua-c remora,and pro-clear 150 skimmers sailfin tang,kole tang,royal gramma,cinnimon clown,2xpink skunk clowns,six line wrasse,mandarin, 155 bow coral-orange montipora cap,superman monti cap,scripps green polyped staghorn,ORA pink poccilipora,ORA blue millipora,green slimer,yellow UK acro,pink birdsnest,armor of god zoas,various zoas and shrooms,hammer,frogspawn,clove polyps,favite,fancey toadstool,reg toadstool,yellow leather,purple leather,devils hand,2 types xenia,ricordea florida,ricordea yuma,kenya tree,galaxia,bubble coral,button polyps inverts are lots of snails and hermits,crocea clam,maxima clam and seabae anemone,rbta

12-21-2007, 10:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
JFK_Jr Golden Moray Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hallandale Beach FL Posts: 2,108 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Confusion between T5 and PC Power compacts are soon coming out in VHO... will have as much par, if not more than T5's. __________________ *JFK_Jr's 150 Gallon Starphire*

12-21-2007, 10:48 PM	#12 (permalink)
JFK_Jr Golden Moray Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hallandale Beach FL Posts: 2,108 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Confusion between T5 and PC 48 inch Helios VHO T6 IV PL Power Compact Fluorescent Light Fixture. Single bulb fixture for 200 watt VHO T6 PL Power Compact Bulb. __________________ *JFK_Jr's 150 Gallon Starphire*

12-23-2007, 12:01 AM	#14 (permalink)
prow Manta Ray Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 3,854 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Confusion between T5 and PC here you go. this is a 80gal with 4x54w T5's. there are so many examples of what you can do with T5's. the best thing, IMO, about T5's besides the heat is you can set the same lighting system up for a tank like this. or if you want to change up you can take off a couple reflectors or go with one big reflector and go softies , lps ect...i too like the shimmer lines from MH's. i even like the look of MH with VHO sups more than T5's but in no way does that mean i dont like the look of T5's or am not able to grow whatever under them. Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Feature Aquarium: The Aquarium of Frank Esser __________________ "He who sees things grow from their beginnings shall have the finest view of them" ........Aristotle........ "The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad." - Salvador Dali my chronicle........ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...al-system.html

12-23-2007, 12:57 AM	#15 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Confusion between T5 and PC Can T5's be dimmed with a rheostat? I don't think MH's can, right? __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)