T5 vs. PC

[puffer32]

I heard the same thing, T5 is supposedly twice as powerful as PC/ Also, they run alot cooler. I live in TX, temps this past summer were unusually hot even for here. My tank stayed at 80, and I don't have a chiller. Just the fans that came with the orbits and a small clipon fan. Electric bill wasn't bad either.

 

[fishfatty]

thankyou all for all the help! I'm probably going to get this fixture...I will update when I hook it up. Thanks again!

 

[fanker]

t-5s are nowhere near compared to pc, a 4x54w t-5 fixture with individual reflectores have more par than 2x150w mh 10k
individual reflectors are very important, u loose half the light without them, reflectors are what make t-5s so good and imo i would never go with nova (no offence to anybody to me its just not worth the money), what size it the tank? i know its 20" deep but id i know what size tank i can help out alot more

 

[fishfatty]

75 gal.

 

[wangotango]

i was wondering when fanker would get here

 

[fishfatty]

fanker Do you have a single reflector over each bulb for your T-5, or do you have one big reflector over all the bulbs on your tank? What do you keep under your lights? Thanks

 

[fanker]

i run individual reflectors, thats why i dont recomend nova because there just 1 reflector, imo get a tek 6x54w, or a aquactinics 5x54w, u can keep what u want and if u want retros than a icecap would be best

 

[fishfatty]

Well do you think its still worth it to buy this fixture? The individual reflectors on the lights are so much more....and I could still keep clams with this light anyways, right?

 

[fishfatty]

Bump

 

[fishfatty]

Well, I just bought the T5 unit. I figure for the deal that I got, its a better for my tank than odyssea

Another question- Do the T5 bulbs last longer than PC's? How oftern do they need to be replaced? When I replace them, about how much will the bulbs be? Thanks!

 

[scooby1350]

According to a Dr site a T-5 sun should last 2 years and the actinic will last 18 months.

 

[fanker]

what fixture did u get?
the t-5s last like a year to 18 months

 

[fishfatty]

If you have time, type in this on the big auction site-
T5 T 5 HO Aquarium light 48 inch
The light will come up. Tell me what you think. THanks

 

[fanker]

looks nice but it doesnt have individual reflectors, not to dis curage u but u get what u pay 4, and 4 lighting u always want to go for expencive good quality name brand

 

[rownsurf81]

Hello,
I noticed your thread and the mention of both Tek and Aquactinics. I'm planning to upgrade from PC and these two fixtures are my choices. I'm looking at the 6-bulb Tek vs the 5 bulb Aquactinics. The latter is cheaper and I've heard it cools better, thus better PAR despite the one bulb difference. Anyone heard anything to suggest the Tek would be worth the extra $$??
Any advice is appreciated!
Justin

 

[jmick]

Originally Posted by fanker
t-5s are nowhere near compared to pc, a 4x54w t-5 fixture with individual reflectores have more par than 2x150w mh 10k
individual reflectors are very important, u loose half the light without them, reflectors are what make t-5s so good and imo i would never go with nova (no offence to anybody to me its just not worth the money), what size it the tank? i know its 20" deep but id i know what size tank i can help out alot more
I'd love to see some evidence on the T5 vs MH PAR comparison...

 

[wangotango]

rownsurf81: imo go with the aquatinics, the fixture is not as wide as the tek, so you'll have more room on top of your tank to work with. also the aquatinics has built-in fans, while the tek does not, and proper cooling makes a big difference. the tek is still good though.

 

[fanker]

ya i agree with wango tango, i never knew about aquatinics when i got my tek, they are better because i think they come with fans and there reflectors are more reflective
jmick, ive posted proof of comparisons so many times, just look around