PC or T5????

[elm0]

I'm pretty new to the hobby so i'm trying to do as much research as possible before setting up my tank.
I'm setting up a 46G bowfront reef tank. I confused about what are the advantages and disadvantages concerning PC lighting Vs T5
The coralife PC's seem cheaper and easier (no hanging, I live in a apartment), but the guy at my LFS basically said they were good for nothing more than just basic light and very inefficient. He also told me that the PC bulbs are more expensive and don't last nearly as long as the T5. I'm trying to light this tank for uder $250.
Any info would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[007]

I agree with your LFS . . . PC are a nice idea but when it boils down to it they aren't all they are cracked up to be. The bulbs are more expensive, break more easily, and have poor coloration in comparisson to some of the other alternatives.
I think that T5 are a much better alternative. The only problem that I have with T5 at this point is that the bulbs are not yet readily available in my area. Make sure that you can get replacement bulbs easily if needed.
Another alternative is VHO. I run a VHO set up and it cost me less than $150 for a 2x75w set up. VHO are very bright, have good spectrum bulbs, are readily available and are cheap in comparisson.

 

[elm0]

would a 2x75w vho be enough for my 46g bowfront, it's about 24" deep, what brand do you have? does it have to be hung above the tank or can it be monthed on the top?

 

[007]

You could mount it into a canopy as I have done . . .
I don't think that 2x75w would be enough for a 46 gallon, however the only difference would be that you would need bigger bulbs. For example, I could take my same set up that I have now (workhorse 7 electronic ballast made by fulham) move the endcaps farther apart and put in longer bulbs and it would work just the same.
My ballast will fire up to 220w of lighting. How long is your tank?

 

[elm0]

It needs a 36" long fixture. What do you mean by "canopy" is that like the cheesy plastic housing that came with the tank or is that like the tanks i see with the wood "cabinet like" peice on top of the tank?

 

[007]

Its actually both . . . the canopy is what is on top of the tank and houses the lighting. Could be plastic, could be wood . . . either one.