Changing out PC for t5

HI,
I made decision today to change out my PC lights for T5, it seems to be more cost effective, and they say the T5's last nearly three years.
Another plus is lower wattage higher output?
I found one at Marine depot 36 " USA Nova Extreme High Output T5
two 460nmAcintic Blue two Daylight 10,000 K SlimPaq output T5 my current compact is 96 watts a lamp so this should save a little power and heat.
Dosen't have timers but my power strips have timers already.
Anyone have this model. hope to hear good things.
The reason I am retiring MY PC lights is the are nearly 12 mos old changed the lamps once already any they seem to be dimming again. GEZZE WIZ...
I only have softies for now. would love a Brain or maybe acouple low light hard corals.
Doug

 

is this for your 55 gallon? if so, you might need the 48" ones????

 

er its 36 inches long?

HI,
Now you scared me, does the longer fit better with the feet.
My 36 covers the entire top of my 55 gal with the feet.
is there a size difference with the t5"s

here's a pic of the light.

 

what are the dimensions of your tank? I had 36" pc's over my 55 and it just wasn't enough coverage... yes there should be where you are looking at those 36's there should also be an option for other sizes

 

Its awsome

HI,
I love the new T5 Lights they fit the tank, and seem to be twice as bright as my Older PC lights that were only 3mos old the bulbs that is. well worth the 200 bucks , I'll save that in bulbs in a couple years.
They seem much cooler and the coraline is taking off in the 55 yet the 37 gal that shares a sump seems to be more green than coraline. all the corals seem to glow their phyto planktin is really reacting to the light. They even glow brighter in the moonlights, I think they may be feeling better.
So I will be looking for a second T5 for the 37 its requires a 30 in light, thats a little tougher to find i have seen a simple dual bulb 30in maybe two sets.
Doug

 

i doubt t5's last 3 yrs.my bulbs are 1 yr and i'm about to change them.i like mine,they are brighter than pc and my mushrooms would prefer less light than they get.i have to keep mushrooms low in the tank.if your tank is 36 inches then its a 50 breeder,not a 55,unless you have a 55 tall.my only real disapointment is that most of my mushrooms and some of the zoos were happier with pc lighting.

 

I could be wrong but I never heard of a bulb thats lasts 3 yrs. I dont think thats exists.

 

T5's are supposed to last 12 to 18 months with the same light output.

 

t5's can be driven harder which shortens their lifespan and go deeper in the water. pc's dont

 

my t5's lasted about 3 months longer than my pc did,but then again i had the ballast very close to the t5 bulbs which i'm sure shortened their life span.