Are T5s really much better than Power compact?

[mpenny0]

I have a 50 gallon that mesures about 36 inches long and at the moment I have a PC 2 96 watts and everything is doing ok. I recently heard T5 is so much better is this true?

 

[gsellers]

if you got the t5 High output (HO) with individual reflectors then they blow pc's out of the water

 

[wattsupdoc]

Are T5s really much better than Power compact?
Absolutley!

You'll be blown away, but....get the right T5's or they wont be.

 

[mpenny0]

so what would be the right T5's ?

 

[bang guy]

The reflector makes a significant difference.
PC would be close except that the 'U' shape of the bulb creates a lot of restrike and makes an appropriate reflector unreasonably complex.
They both put out similar amounts of light, the difference is that the single slim bulb of T5 puts a lot more light into the water where it counts.

 

[salt210]

plus you have to replace them twice as often compared to the T5s