Power compacts with t5?

I have 4 39 watt t5 fixture I think. I found a power compact 4 65 watt for
Cheap on Craigslist. The guy selling it I've bought stuff from before

Can you combine lights?

 

You can use both fixtures or DIY them into one. Just make sure and use the T5 ballast on the T5 bulbs and the PC ballast on the PC bulbs.

What size tank are you using the lights on. The T5 unit most likely will work for your needs.

Is the T5 high output or normal output?

 

My tank is 72 gallon

I think they are only normal output

That's why I'm looking to add something else. Would the power compacts be good to add or should I aim for something else?

 

I would go with a 4 X 54 watt T5HO from ATI or the Elite from the Tek line. That would be a strong fixture for a mixed reef tank. It should work very well for SPS dominant also.

 

With a tank that size you might want to go with all T5's, Compacts are only good for soft corals and some LPS coral. If you want to keep SPS and some of the higher end LPS your going to want to get all T5's.

If you want to spend a bunch of money for the name you can go with the Teks or ATI but not me. I currently have 3 tank and all 3 have either Odyssea T5's and one has 2 of these and I am very pleased with them all. I do how ever recommend that if you buy these you replace the bulbs after 6 or 8 months with another brand.

 

So get rid of the fixture ? Or use 2?

 

If its not a T5 high ouput you might as try and sell it, IMO. I have 2 of the 4 bulb fixtures or 8 bulbs over my 75 gallon Display tank.

 

+1 on selling. If you get any other brands get a 6 or 8 bulb fixture.

 

Any suggestion where to get the 4-6 light fixture? One that doesnt need a hood or be suspended from the ceiling. I have a glass cover on the tank

 

Marine Depot, Aqua Cave for a starters.