T-5 .vs. compact flourescent

[drewdog82]

I am trying to figure out whether to buy the Coralife Complact fllourescent fixture which comes with 4 65 watt lights (2-10000 k and 2-actinic) and includes 3 lunar lights for a total output of 260 watts..... or the Nova extreme T-5 fixture which comes with 4 54 watt lights (2-10000 k and 2-actinic) and includes 4 lunar lights for a total output of 216 watts... Does anyone have any info. or opinions and also does either one require a chiller????

 

[pontius]

I have one of the corallife units and it works well. I had a 6x54 watt T5 which also worked well. I'd say they're about equal. neither would require a chiller, the corallife unit runs exceptionally cool.

 

[acrylic51]

Go T5's the PC's don't even compare to the quality of light you'll get from the T5's

 

[saltfan]

The T-5 actually put out more light lumens than the PC do. You can also have anenomes and corals with T-5.

 

[mythrenody]

Yup,T-5s are better than PCs

 

[dr. evil]

yep T-5s or halides i have the current 48" 4-65W and just over 1 year the dog gone ballast for the actinics goes out needless to say i was ticked off it cost me $100 bucks to replace it. wish i knew then what i know now i would have gone with something besides a power compact.

 

[saltfan]

Originally Posted by drewdog82
I am trying to figure out whether to buy the Coralife Complact fllourescent fixture which comes with 4 65 watt lights (2-10000 k and 2-actinic) and includes 3 lunar lights for a total output of 260 watts..... or the Nova extreme T-5 fixture which comes with 4 54 watt lights (2-10000 k and 2-actinic) and includes 4 lunar lights for a total output of 216 watts... Does anyone have any info. or opinions and also does either one require a chiller????
No chiller required. How about VHO.? Thats the one I would be getting personally.

 

[reefraff]

T5's are a legitimate option to halides as long as you get the right T5's. For a hood stick with the Tek from sunlight supply. A 4 lamp T5 will put out more light than 4 PC's or 4 VHO's, period.

 

[drewdog82]

Originally Posted by reefraff
T5's are a legitimate option to halides as long as you get the right T5's. For a hood stick with the Tek from sunlight supply. A 4 lamp T5 will put out more light than 4 PC's or 4 VHO's, period.

Thanks for the help, the only thing is the 4 bulb T-5 fixture only produce 216 watts, will that still produce more light then the compact structure with 4 bulbs that produces 260 watts??????

 

[saltfan]

I would go with the VHO. I am still not sold on the T-5 theory, especially when we are talking about such a difference in total watts.

 

[rujelus22]

I have the t5 light your talking about it's awsome tons of light and I can keep anything in my tank
heres a pic of my sebae under those lights

 

[drewdog82]

Originally Posted by rujelus22
I have the t5 light your talking about it's awsome tons of light and I can keep anything in my tank
heres a pic of my sebae under those lights

If you're still on, what type of T-5 fixture do u have? (how may watts) and in what size tank???

 

[wattsupdoc]

see the thread in new hobbyists titled"Help me lamp my T5 ho's.

 

[wattsupdoc]

Originally Posted by rujelus22
I have the t5 light your talking about it's awsome tons of light and I can keep anything in my tank
heres a pic of my sebae under those lights

Hey rejelus22. Can you tell me what the lamps are that you have in that fixture? A number or the stamped lettering on the lamps as well as manufacturer of the lamps. I need to know what to lamp my T5's im gonna build and you have the key to my success. T5's are the way to go. No doubt. Again You cant compare watts to lumens .....PERIOD! :help:

 

[saltfan]

Originally Posted by rujelus22
I have the t5 light your talking about it's awsome tons of light and I can keep anything in my tank
heres a pic of my sebae under those lights
So what is the tank depth? And the size of the tank?

 

[rujelus22]

I'm not at home but I can look when I get there, the fixture is a nova extreme from current, it's a 4X54 for 216 watts and the bulbs are just the ones that it came with, there made by current. My tank is a standard 55 gallon theres some pics in the picture forum
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/215148/pics-of-my-55

 

[rujelus22]

all the lights say is current T5 and 10k or actinic

 

[saltfan]

Well at 8 times the light in a 55 gallon, you should have at least 440watts in there. So, and but, the guy above is running his T-5's, I guess you could to. I wouldn't though. He is having success, but I am still a fan of VHO over T-5.