T5ho vs power compacts

Before I get flamed let me explain. My current light is a 36" coralife lunar deluxe pc fixture. Built in fans, moonlights, 3 different cords so I can run actinics before the whites come on. Basically the cadillac of power compact fixtures, only thing is, its still pcs. I found a wavepoint 36" t5ho for $150 only 2 weeks of use, or so I'm told. What do y'all think? Should I make the swap or keep the pcs? I would like to venture into sps eventually and maybe a clam one day. Just not sure if I should spend the coin just yet or wait for a better deal. Thanks.

 

If it is a 4 bulb unit jump on it and replace the stock bulbs. I think it only has one cord though don't think you will be able to dawn/dusk lighting.

 

How many lamps would this T5 fixture have?

T5s are better simply because
the lamps last longer
they are easier to get efficient reflectors for
none of the light gets sent towards the other tube as it does with PCs

it sounds like a good deal to me

Steve

 

Yes its a 4 bulb, would I need to run a fan or are t5s not too bad with heat? Also, my stepfather just got one of these (48" I think) for his 55g, it indeed only has one cord. So the dusk/dawn set up isn't important?

 

I used to have the same fixture (48" version) when I started, since upgrading to T5's it's a no brainer which is better. T5's are:

- cheaper to replace (PC's are phasing out)
- reach farther down into the tank
- more bulb choices for varied spectrum combos
- much wider variety of fixtures with great reflectors
- they stay cool & are more efficient in pretty much every aspect vs PC

Just remember the efficiency of a fixture is directly linked to how good its reflectors are & what bulbs you are using. WavePoint I've heard have really nice reflectors & the bulbs are "pretty good", but you could go ATI or Geissman down the line.

 

Now I'm curious how much I could sell my pcs for. They only have about a months use on them.

 

PC's are rough to sell, I think I paid $300 initially for my Lunar light and sold it for $50 like 2 months later. For anyone researched, they would most likely go T5 so re-sale on PC is usually not good. Hope you have better luck than I did!

 

Is there a way to tell t5s from t5ho?

 

Will it say ho on the bulb?

 

The easiest is the wattage of the bulb. T5HO are 24W for 24", 39W for 36" and 54W for 48" bulbs. T5NO are about half the wattage ot T5HO. 80W for 60" on T5HO BTW.