Question about T5's...

As of now I have been running a Coral Life 4 65watt PC light fixture. I want to upgrade soon to a T5 fixture. I have been looking at fixtures like, Current USA Nova's and TEK lights. My question is, right now I have a total of 260watts of power. The lights I have been looking at are right around or lower than the wattage I have now. (some are 4x54 and some are 4x65) So, what makes a T5 setup better?

Hope this makes since, thanks.

 

I don't think the lights that are 4x65 are t5, as I have never heard of that wattage bulb, but I guess that doesn't mean they don't exist. They sound more like PC fixtures. Anyways, the biggest factor in choosing one T5 setup over another are the reflectors. You are looking for individual reflectors, they are the best and most reflective. Optimally, you are looking for Miro IV aluminum, but don't worry too much about that. Tek fixtures don't actually have Individual reflectors, they have individually contoured reflectors, which are still quote good. The least efficient reflector is the "gull" wing style reflector. THis is on piece of metal that wraps around all of the bulbs at once. Current and Tek fixtures aren't bad. Current has come out with some new "individually contoured" reflectors, but they don't run the full length of the bulb for some reason. I personally prefer the Tek fixture, as they seem to be the most popular T5 fixture out there. I am also using one with great success. They are virtually silent, run surprisingly cool for not having a fan, and are built well. The Current fixtures generally have a fan, but are more noisy because of it. Keep in mind that there are different reflectors on the Current models, so know what you're getting.

 

Thanks for the responce. Yeah with the reading I have done the TEK fixture seems to be the way to go. Do you have a 4 or 6 bulb?

 

I have a six bulb fixture

 

Does it fit over your tank? I have vaulted ceilings and would have to use the mounting legs.

 

I am running the current extreme pro T5 6 x 54 and it puts out a lot of light. The reflectors do run the full length of the bulb and I cant hear the fans running at all unless I am standing right next to them.

 

I have found the current nova extreme HO T5 with 4x54watt bulbs for $255.00 and free shipping. I think this is going to be my fixture. Sound like a good deal? It's the new style with individual contoured reflectors.

 

T5s are better than PC for a few reasons and Guitarman did a fantastic job of hitting a few of them. I would like to add some more if I may

PC lamps in themselves are their downfall. Take a look at one. Notice how the lamp is bent "in half"? When you have that folded lamp you already set your self up for defeat. Here is why, when the lamp is bent like that the two parts that are facing each other are wasting energy and light by illuminating each other.... So we can say maybe a quarter of the lamp if not more is lighting itself. On top of that there is no way of preventing this from occuring as you cannot get a reflector in between the to "halves". While the PC lamp draws far more watts than a comperable sized T5 it doesn't necassarily get more light into the tank. Also the reflectors that are used in most PC fixtures are not designed all that well either but they are limited in what they can do. Notice MH or T5 fixtures... They are never FLAT on top... Why? Because if they were the light from the "top" of the lamp would hit it and bounce straight back down.. Thats why MH or T5 reflectors always have a rounded top with a ridge or multiple bends to scatter the light into the tank. PC has a flat top, again leading to inefficiency. So you have the quarter of light or so wasted on the lamp design and another quarter or so bouncing back into the lamp from the poor reflector designs.....

T5 has the ability to have, at the moment the most efficient reflectors... Compare them to MH... T5 has a concentrated SLR that allows that entire lamp to be sent into the tank, very little if any light spillage.... Look at many MH reflectors or peoples tanks that use them, light being cast off the tank, above the tank and so on, thats MH's issue, light spillage(well, and heat).
T5 is, when properly used, probably the best overall lighting one can use when factoring in everything. Is it FOR everyone? No, but I would say in 5 years or so what will be on the market is T5 and LED, and MH will be slowly working its way out, just as PC have...

BUT with all this said if you go with T5 and get a crappy unit and lamps you are wasting everything beneficial about T5s...

And to answer your question, a good T5 fixture with 4x54w will CRUSH a 4x65 watt PC no question.

 

Thanks for the replie's Fragenstein and GuitarMan. I think I have a better understanding of T5's over PC's.

Man I love this website!