PC vs. T5 let the fight begin
- Thread starter sparkee61
- Start date
caseysimp7
Member
pc's are good but t-5's are great. they are better than pc's. you can keep most corals with t-5's
perfectdark
Active Member
Originally Posted by SrgVigil
http:///forum/post/2509747
I just wanted to point out all of you are saying you like something better but your giving no reasons so your answers are nothing but empty words
The reasons are.. HO-T5 lighting is more intense lighting watt for watt against PC's. They produce far more lumens per watt than PC's do, they are small in diameter making it possible to put individual reflectors over them and increasing their intensity even more. They are also a more efficient bulb, which means they run cooler (Heat= Loss of energy) and dont need to be replaced every 6 to 8 months. But more like 12 to 14 months (providing they arent overdriven)
http:///forum/post/2509747
I just wanted to point out all of you are saying you like something better but your giving no reasons so your answers are nothing but empty words
The reasons are.. HO-T5 lighting is more intense lighting watt for watt against PC's. They produce far more lumens per watt than PC's do, they are small in diameter making it possible to put individual reflectors over them and increasing their intensity even more. They are also a more efficient bulb, which means they run cooler (Heat= Loss of energy) and dont need to be replaced every 6 to 8 months. But more like 12 to 14 months (providing they arent overdriven)
reef_dart21
Member
Originally Posted by TriggerPhish
http:///forum/post/2506006
Well, that about settles the score.
If I'm not mistaken, I believe the t-5 bulbs last longer.
not true t-5 definently burn out faster than pc due to the t-5 being a one strip bulb
http:///forum/post/2506006
Well, that about settles the score.
If I'm not mistaken, I believe the t-5 bulbs last longer.
not true t-5 definently burn out faster than pc due to the t-5 being a one strip bulb
wangotango
Active Member
Try replacing your PC bulbs once every year and a half and see how it affects your tank.
If you want numbers check out --. You'll find PAR numbers that are very comparable to halides, and you will never see a PC setup compete that way.
-Justin
If you want numbers check out --. You'll find PAR numbers that are very comparable to halides, and you will never see a PC setup compete that way.
-Justin
flricordia
Active Member
Cost wise T5 are much less for their light output. PC have their use, but for more light at less cost with longer lasting bulbs T5s are the answer. And you get less heat, less electrical consumption.
flricordia
Active Member
Originally Posted by SrgVigil
http:///forum/post/2509750
I personaly like my PC lighting fizture. I have the current sattelite. It brings out the colors in my fish and everything seems real happy
Have you tried T5s though? Compared the two? Yes, PCs do give good lighting and color rendition, but once you try T5s your opinion will differ. I was a long time PC fan and wouldn't consider T5s for the longest, but now since I have tryed them I would probably never go back to PC unless it was a stock item on a nano that I was only keeping a fish in or a few lowlight corals.
http:///forum/post/2509750
I personaly like my PC lighting fizture. I have the current sattelite. It brings out the colors in my fish and everything seems real happy
Have you tried T5s though? Compared the two? Yes, PCs do give good lighting and color rendition, but once you try T5s your opinion will differ. I was a long time PC fan and wouldn't consider T5s for the longest, but now since I have tryed them I would probably never go back to PC unless it was a stock item on a nano that I was only keeping a fish in or a few lowlight corals.
sparkee61
Member
Just purchased my Nova Extreme T5 and the light difference is truly amazing. My Clowns asked for some shades! I have been only in this hobby, which my wife shakes her head because we need new furniture, for about a year and have been using a Coralife pc. Even my bubble coral opened twice the size of normal.
wangotango
Active Member
Originally Posted by earlybird
http:///forum/post/2510744
Can you still run actinics with T5's? How true is the statement that they run cooler than PC bulbs?
Yes, they do make pure actinic T5 bulbs. IMO VHO actinics have a more purplish hue whereas the T5 are more blue.
I have not used PC, only VHO and T5 so I cannot say that they run cooler. T5 do generate heat and don't run cool to the touch at all, but IME are cooler than VHO.
The Aquactinics fixtures are designed so that they can sit right on top of the tank without any heat transfer. My TX5 sits about 2" or so off of the water because of my canopy design, but I can't feel any heat radiating from the bottom of the fixture at all.
-Justin
http:///forum/post/2510744
Can you still run actinics with T5's? How true is the statement that they run cooler than PC bulbs?
Yes, they do make pure actinic T5 bulbs. IMO VHO actinics have a more purplish hue whereas the T5 are more blue.
I have not used PC, only VHO and T5 so I cannot say that they run cooler. T5 do generate heat and don't run cool to the touch at all, but IME are cooler than VHO.
The Aquactinics fixtures are designed so that they can sit right on top of the tank without any heat transfer. My TX5 sits about 2" or so off of the water because of my canopy design, but I can't feel any heat radiating from the bottom of the fixture at all.
-Justin
vt4lifecuf
Member
t5 all the way..i threw away my pc
perfectdark
Active Member
Originally Posted by earlybird
http:///forum/post/2510744
Can you still run actinics with T5's? How true is the statement that they run cooler than PC bulbs?
They are not cold... LOL but they are cooler than PC's. For one reason they are a more efficient bulb, hence the need to replace them less frequently than PC's. And heat loss = wasted energy = less efficient bulb. The heat is also dispursed through a longer bulb so while they are cooler than PC's they appear to be a lot cooler.
http:///forum/post/2510744
Can you still run actinics with T5's? How true is the statement that they run cooler than PC bulbs?
They are not cold... LOL but they are cooler than PC's. For one reason they are a more efficient bulb, hence the need to replace them less frequently than PC's. And heat loss = wasted energy = less efficient bulb. The heat is also dispursed through a longer bulb so while they are cooler than PC's they appear to be a lot cooler.
scrapman
Member
Originally Posted by sparkee61
http:///forum/post/2510620
Just purchased my Nova Extreme T5 and the light difference is truly amazing. My Clowns asked for some shades! I have been only in this hobby, which my wife shakes her head because we need new furniture, for about a year and have been using a Coralife pc. Even my bubble coral opened twice the size of normal.
I plan to do the same move for my 90 gal
what nova extreme did you get? How many bulbs/watts?
thanks
http:///forum/post/2510620
Just purchased my Nova Extreme T5 and the light difference is truly amazing. My Clowns asked for some shades! I have been only in this hobby, which my wife shakes her head because we need new furniture, for about a year and have been using a Coralife pc. Even my bubble coral opened twice the size of normal.
I plan to do the same move for my 90 gal
what nova extreme did you get? How many bulbs/watts?
thanks
sparkee61
Member
Originally Posted by scrapman
http:///forum/post/2511722
I plan to do the same move for my 90 gal
what nova extreme did you get? How many bulbs/watts?
thanks
Nova Extreme Pro 6 bulbs
http:///forum/post/2511722
I plan to do the same move for my 90 gal
what nova extreme did you get? How many bulbs/watts?
thanks
Nova Extreme Pro 6 bulbs
reefraff
Active Member
Originally Posted by Spivey911
http:///forum/post/2518810
I been seeing T6 lamps for sale ....advertising they are very similar to T6 is this true?
T6 VHO's are pretty good. You can get reflectors for them and T5 reflectors will work. That said I wouldn't use them unsless I had an existing T12 VHO System. The lamps are a direct drop in replacement for standard VHO's except for the 46.5 inch lamps. Problem is there isn't a large selection of lamps around for them and while good they are not better than T5's.
http:///forum/post/2518810
I been seeing T6 lamps for sale ....advertising they are very similar to T6 is this true?
T6 VHO's are pretty good. You can get reflectors for them and T5 reflectors will work. That said I wouldn't use them unsless I had an existing T12 VHO System. The lamps are a direct drop in replacement for standard VHO's except for the 46.5 inch lamps. Problem is there isn't a large selection of lamps around for them and while good they are not better than T5's.
