New lights

Got my new lights today!! I'll post some pics once the batteries charge up for my camera.

The dual integrated timers are a no brainer.

 

This is one thing that just confuses the heck out of me. I always see that T5 is more recommended than CF, but the same length CF is more wattage than the same length T5, 24" fixture in this case. Do they more efficiently direct the light into the tank? At surface value, I wouldn't see much of an acclimation process needed since the wattage of the lights is actually going down.

 

the problem is there not the same length, the pcs had four bulbs on one side and 4 bulbs on the other side, so all 4 are only half the length of the tank. with t-5's you get more bang for your buck, a t-5 bulb with less wattage will put out more luminas then a pc bulb, If I remember correctly a t-5 puts out about 90 lumanas and a pc bulb puts out about 60. There are ather guys here that can explain it better then I can.

 

Yeah I would love to know why 215 watts is better than 260 watts.

t-5's are still floro's

 

I get that CF bulbs are basically one long tube bent in half. I did read that the wattage is generally the wattage they consume, it's not really indicitive of the amount of light they emit, i.e. the lumens they project. Now, if that is true, that explains why a 70w MH/HQI is so much brighter than a 65w CF or 54w T5. The CF uses more energy to run but is not necessarily brighter. Got it.

 

That's ALL we need.. MORE Lumina's! That's why GM is in the hole! ;D

Take a read of this thread. Explains T5 a little bit. T5 DO put out more light then VHO's or PC's.. comparable to MH's.. there is much debate on which is better.. http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-lighting/t5s-q-54866.html