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hich is better, t5 or pc lighting?

post #1 of 6
12/22/11 at 8:17pm
Thread Starter 
I currently have mh and t5, but someone just gave me a pc ballast and sockets and reflector that can hold 4 bulbs. I figure im ok with just mh but id like my mh lighting have a bulb thats good for growth and my t5 or pc have actanic bulbs for color or maybe 2 night time bulbs and 2 actanic since it can hold 4 and i think u can have them on at different times. I could also mix the bulbs to give my tank different lighting at different places in the tank. Basically i like that the pc set up has 4 bulbs for the versatility but im thinking t5 might be a little better, wut do u guys think?

Heres a little info on my current tank and lighting:

75gal
1x175w mh 14k bulb
1x54w t5 actanic
1x54w t5 10k

Not sure how many watts the pc set up is
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post #2 of 6
12/22/11 at 8:25pm

If your canopy is well ventilated, go for it. But, PC lamps produce a lot of heat. Dare I say almost as much as a Metal Halide does. So, really, it's your choice and your tank. If you don't have a well ventilated canopy, may I suggest cutting a couple of holes and adding an in and out fan? Just something small to keep air circulating...

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post #3 of 6
12/23/11 at 12:19am
Thread Starter 
Good info, thanks snake
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post #4 of 6
12/31/11 at 4:32am

more options with t5 than pc for color imo

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post #5 of 6
12/31/11 at 5:39am

Go to the first link here.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=comparison+of+t5+and+pc+lighting+in+an+aquarium&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADBR_en#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us%3AIE-Address&rlz=1I7ADBR_en&source=hp&q=Lighting+the+Reef+Tank:+A+Primer+for+Beginners&pbx=1&oq=Lighting+the+Reef+Tank:+A+Primer+for+Beginners&aq=f&aqi=g-v1&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=177674l177674l0l178783l1l1l0l0l0l0l219l219l2-1l1l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=70aad47b77c851e0&biw=1024&bih=588

 

Also a good connected read here. Again go to first link.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=comparison+of+t5+and+pc+lighting+in+an+aquarium&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADBR_en#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us%3AIE-Address&rlz=1I7ADBR_en&source=hp&q=Photosynthesis+and+Photoadaptation+&pbx=1&oq=Photosynthesis+and+Photoadaptation+&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=6l6l3l464l1l1l0l0l0l0l228l228l2-1l1l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=70aad47b77c851e0&biw=1024&bih=588

 

 

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post #6 of 6
12/31/11 at 10:55am
Thread Starter 
Thanks everyone!
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