78watt T5 vs 96watt PC

Hello
I'm going to upgrade to T5. Is a 78watt T5 better then a 96watt PC? I say 78 watt because i'm using the actinics at night and the 10k during the day.

T5: Nova Extreme T5H0 | Current What's Next Model: 1121:36
PC: Coralife Aqualight Power Compact Fixture With Single 50/50 Lamp

Thanks

 

T5 is better. Bulbs last longer, cost about the same, use less energy as does the ballast and have far greater PAR.

 

You don't want to run actinics all night. They're far too bright.

 

So all you guys are saying a 78watt T5 would be brighter then a 96watt PC?

 

T5 is more efficient and lasts longer than pc.

 

by far.

If you saw what PAR, the usable light by corals and cother photosynthetic organisms, tests showed for what light the t5ho's made in comparison to the PC's PAR with even less watts of t5ho, you would never want to run PC's again.

Add that to the t5ho bulb like, cheaper bulbs usually than pc, more "colors" available in t5ho bulbs, and the energy savings, you would see why PC's are so old tech and obsolete.

After one change of bulbs after 6 months in the PC's if you add up the savings in bulbs alone the t5ho's make more sense.

 

the reflectors of the fixture you are getting also play a large role in how efficient the bulbs will be. T5 def trounces PC in most aspects, and if you couple higher end T5's with nice PAR, like ATI Blue + & AquaBlue with a nice fixture with good reflectors, it will blow PC's away any day.

 

Yup to all the above.Its not about watts its all about PAR. Also you'll want to run both the antics and the daylights during the day. Nothing or just moonlight leds at night.