t-5 vs PC

[piscesblue]

Since I am also looking for some non-Halide lighting for my new 75gal and after reading this post, I called my extremely trusted LFS (he's a specialty salt only, custom tank place who has been in business for a decade and has not steered me wrong in 5yrs) and asked them about T5's. They told me that T5's are just upgraded flourescents and that PC's are much better for corals as long as you are not keeping SPS's and yes, he does sell both. Sheesh, this is the reason I hate this hobby, everything changes every 2yrs. I ran PC's on my 30gal and had beautiful softies, never stepped up to the hard guys. Where is the proof? Where are the pics? Why are T5's so much better and why are all of the members putting them on a pedestal so new to the board? Any seasoned vets out there with any opinions on this debate? :notsure:

 

[stanlalee]

As usual asking about lighting is useless. everybody has an opinion and everybody's thinks they know it all.
For one the choice of what to use has more to do with the size and depth of the tank than it does the actual lighting.
example 1: PC is a great choice to keep nearly all LPS, Soft corals and even Monti on a 30 gallon tank and it doesn't take that many or cost much. PC is a terrible choice on a large tank (say over 100g) no matter what you want to keep it will be expensive and ineffective on mid/high demand corals.
example 2: MH would be a great choice on a 24" deep 90gallon. To keep any LPS, softies, BTA's ect anywhere in the tank with PC or T5 is going to cost around $500+ (for 4x96w pc or 6-8x54w pc. yes there are cheaper T5s but most with bulbs, ind reflectors, quality ect end up costing that when said and done) and they still arent going to be as effective as MH @ 24" deep. MH are at the point know where you can get 2x175 or 2x250 retro's or pendents for nearly the same money. On the other hand MH might be powerful but might not be the best choice on a 18" deep 30g. Here you may run into the risk of scortching lower demanding corals if you plan to keep any which cant go any lower than the shallow tank there in to begin with or end hanging the MH way above the tank. You may also run into heat issues on such a small tank. Here T5 may be better.
VHO vs PC what real difference does it make? Either in the appropriate wattage can keep basically the same stuff so why argue about it. VHO actinics are better spectrum wise or at least used to be. Daylight really no difference. 110VHO or 96PC really personal prefence.
T5 come talk about it 5yrs from now. They're still too new.

 

[yupi1982]

Originally Posted by PiscesBlue
Since I am also looking for some non-Halide lighting for my new 75gal and after reading this post, I called my extremely trusted LFS (he's a specialty salt only, custom tank place who has been in business for a decade and has not steered me wrong in 5yrs) and asked them about T5's. They told me that T5's are just upgraded flourescents and that PC's are much better for corals as long as you are not keeping SPS's and yes, he does sell both. Sheesh, this is the reason I hate this hobby, everything changes every 2yrs. I ran PC's on my 30gal and had beautiful softies, never stepped up to the hard guys. Where is the proof? Where are the pics? Why are T5's so much better and why are all of the members putting them on a pedestal so new to the board? Any seasoned vets out there with any opinions on this debate? :notsure:
That dependence on the size of the tank ...I speak for tanks up to 80 Gallons and as much as 24 deep....for everything else MH is the best choice.....
True.....PC's are better than T-5's in power
But ...

here is the big difference why in the short-medium and long term is a much better choice to get T-5'S over PC's
1/ T-5 'S life span double pc'S
2/ Take less space
3/ Less heat
and the four one and most omportant of all
4/ PC'S are just to expensive to replace.....the bulb cost is almost 3 times the T-5'S
I have experiences this myself...and that is why recomend T-5'S

Now if you have MH the best companionship is VHO IMO this fact is Declared by people that have been in this hobby for years...to mention OCEANA,and ACRYLIC51 they rae some ...PRO's.

MY 2 CENTS
Alejandro
Some good T-5's in the Picture

 

[tx reef]

Originally Posted by PiscesBlue
I ran PC's on my 30gal and had beautiful softies, never stepped up to the hard guys. Where is the proof? Where are the pics? Why are T5's so much better and why are all of the members putting them on a pedestal so new to the board? Any seasoned vets out there with any opinions on this debate? :notsure:
This is what I have been asking all this time.
I want pics.
I want real proof.

 

[tx reef]

Originally Posted by Stanlalee
As usual asking about lighting is useless. everybody has an opinion and everybody's thinks they know it all.
For one the choice of what to use has more to do with the size and depth of the tank than it does the actual lighting.
example 1: PC is a great choice to keep nearly all LPS, Soft corals and even Monti on a 30 gallon tank and it doesn't take that many or cost much. PC is a terrible choice on a large tank (say over 100g) no matter what you want to keep it will be expensive and ineffective on mid/high demand corals.
example 2: MH would be a great choice on a 24" deep 90gallon. To keep any LPS, softies, BTA's ect anywhere in the tank with PC or T5 is going to cost around $500+ (for 4x96w pc or 6-8x54w pc. yes there are cheaper T5s but most with bulbs, ind reflectors, quality ect end up costing that when said and done) and they still arent going to be as effective as MH @ 24" deep. MH are at the point know where you can get 2x175 or 2x250 retro's or pendents for nearly the same money. On the other hand MH might be powerful but might not be the best choice on a 18" deep 30g. Here you may run into the risk of scortching lower demanding corals if you plan to keep any which cant go any lower than the shallow tank there in to begin with or end hanging the MH way above the tank. You may also run into heat issues on such a small tank. Here T5 may be better.
VHO vs PC what real difference does it make? Either in the appropriate wattage can keep basically the same stuff so why argue about it. VHO actinics are better spectrum wise or at least used to be. Daylight really no difference. 110VHO or 96PC really personal prefence.
T5 come talk about it 5yrs from now. They're still too new.

Agreed!

 

[piscesblue]

Thank you Stanlalee and yupi1982, those are exactly the quality replies I was looking for. It seems I can purchase comparable 4 bulb setups of either PC or T5's for my tank. I might go with the T5's since this 75gal reef will be in the master bedroom and I really don't want noisy fans blowing hot ar out. It also helps that I'm a sucker for new technology.

 

[canisee2]

sry to hi jack theard but fanker do you think that if i put 6 54 watt t5 lighting i can keep sps and clams oh ya its over a 72 gallon b ow front
Thanks
Austin

 

[tx reef]

Originally Posted by canisee2
sry to hi jack theard but fanker do you think that if i put 6 54 watt t5 lighting i can keep sps and clams oh ya its over a 72 gallon b ow front
Thanks
Austin

You could probably keep a Derasa Clam mid tank or so.
As far as SPS, Monti Caps are about your only option as long as they are mid tank or higher..
No clams on the sand bed with that lighting, though.

 

[canisee2]

ok how about i get the 8 blulb fixture its only 30 bucks more would this work could i then but a clam on the bottom.

Austin

 

[stanlalee]

Originally Posted by canisee2
ok how about i get the 8 blulb fixture its only 30 bucks more would this work could i then but a clam on the bottom.

Austin
Thats kind of the problem giving advice about T5 with clams and SPS. probably not that many people who can give testimonial to long term success of clams on the bottom with the same wattage and tank size as yours. they havent been wide spread really before now. You may have testimonials but not for every wattage/tank combination like you do with MH, VHO and PC. Anybody could tell with 2x175w MH or greater you could keep just about anything in a 72 bow. T5's havent been around enough for years off accepted combinations garuanteed to work long term. Then you vast differences with reflector effectiveness amonst T5 fixtures which are much more important to their performance than other flourescent lighting (which I think relates to the small size of the tubes). From what I've read the reflector can make or break a T5 fixture so 8x54w T5 with quality individual reflectors wont have performance anything simular to single or poorly designed reflector T5's of the same wattage. My Personal opinion (without ever having used T5) would be if 8x54w over a 72gallon bowfront wont get it for clams then nothing short of MH will. its probably worth a shot trying if the buzz of T5 ho has any merrit.

 

[saltfan]

Depth of the tank has everything to do with the answer. Period. If the tank is less than 18" without sand and rock, why in the hell would you put 5000 T-5 lights on it? 3 VHO or MH is all you need. Its that easy. And yes there are some of us that can attest to the fact that VHO is a less than 18" depth of water, Dursa Clams are no problem, neither is Acrapora. There is also a fixture out the for PC that has 520watts in 48", and doesn't hace 8 freakin lamps in it.

 

[piscesblue]

I got the proof, this guy uses only T5.
*Link Removed*

 

[stanlalee]

Originally Posted by PiscesBlue
I got the proof, this guy uses only T5.
*Link Removed*

yes but it also said:
" One of the keys to getting good results with T5 bulbs, I believe, is to keep your SPS no more than 18" from the light source. For intensely colored SPS (i.e. reds, blues, pinks, neon yellows), I keep them less than 10" away. The T5 bulbs are no more than three inches from the water surface"
assuming clams require as least as much lighting as SPS for argument sake and you follow his T5's placed a measly 3" from the water surface thats no recommendation for clams on the sand bed for anything more than a 18" tank with a hefty 3" sandbed. and thats his recommendations for the dull colored sps (although he does have clams).
If you look at his tank you'll notice there's mostly LPS at the bottom and SPS from the middle up except a few dull looking ones. Also the level and advancement of his equipment and set up are beyond the majority of people looking at T5 (which mostly to save money over MH). That tank has alot going for it besides lights. he also stressed the importance of reflectors (absent except on large one on the Nova T5 fixture).

 

[yupi1982]

Originally Posted by SaltFan
Depth of the tank has everything to do with the answer. Period. If the tank is less than 18" without sand and rock, why in the hell would you put 5000 T-5 lights on it? 3 VHO or MH is all you need. Its that easy. And yes there are some of us that can attest to the fact that VHO is a less than 18" depth of water, Dursa Clams are no problem, neither is Acrapora. There is also a fixture out the for PC that has 520watts in 48", and doesn't hace 8 freakin lamps in it.

We are on the same page....way to go Saltfan !!!
DEpth is the key if is to high..........
For the 32 time YOU CAN NOT HAVE STONIES NOR CLAMS IF YOU DONT HAVE METAL HALIDE............

 

[threed240]

Im hopeing that LED's will make s good showing. Awsome output, and low energy consumption.

 

[tx reef]

:hilarious

:hilarious

Originally Posted by Threed240
Im hopeing that LED's will make s good showing. Awsome output, and low energy consumption.

 

[piscesblue]

Well, I just ordered my lights and decided to go with 260W of Coralife PC's for $200. I can always add to them. The decision was made after seeing T-5's in person, those suckers are dim in comparison! I'm glad to have finally made a decision and to wash away the confusion of the T-5's. You guys enjoy your sexy new lights and I'll go home and snuggle up to Ol' Faithful. Thank you for everyone's input and thank you Fatty for starting this thread at the exact time I was purchasing my lights.

I am so glad that is over with!

 

[yupi1982]

Well dude .........i say is a good purshase.......I have two of those over my 120 and they do very well...but again you wont have the capability of having SPS nor Clams
you can put some softies and polyps but dont even waste the money triying to buy stonies !!! IMO
GL my friend !!!

Alejandro

 

[fanker]

Originally Posted by TX Reef
Power Compacts are perfectly fine for corals.
You can keep soft corals and LPS and even monti caps at mid tank or higher depending on wattage.
Cost to replace the 4-65 watt PC bulbs is only $120 at my LFS.
Also, I have yet to see pictures or hear from people who have kept anything like Croceas, SPS, Anemones, etc. long term with T-5s. By long term I mean more than a year.
I don't think I will ever be sold on T-5s as they are just another flourescent.
Metal Halides are the way to go for a reef (I am buying some in the near future).
actually 4x54w t-5s is way more powerful than a 250w mh its proven on a differant site, he has a light meter. and yes there are tons of people that have started there tanks with t-5s and have been with them for 5-6 years. i cant say the site but almost all the people use t-5s, it is also the biggest reef forum in the world

 

[fanker]

there is also a guy on -- that has a 210g 30" deep and uses 8x54w and has clams on the sand bed