is this good

Okay so everyone know I am trying to up my lighting. I found a t5 fixture that I could place next to my pc fixture. Now I am noticing that t5's come in lower wattage...what would I need to make my current light set up better?

I currently have the coralife 2 x 65watt 50/50.

this is what I found

Coralife S/W T-5 Aqualight Double Strip Light-48"

Our Price: $99.99

Item: ASWO # 13937
Usually ships within 24-48 hours







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The Coralife S/W Aqualight T-5 is a double lamp fixture ideal for saltwater and reef aquariums. Includes one 10,000K Daylight and one True Actinic 03 Blue T-5 (5/8 diameter) fluorescent lamp. Features an on/off switch, a built in electronic ballast, sleek black aluminum housing, a highly polished reflector, acrylic lens cover and adjustable width tank mounts. T-5 lamps are 28 watts each.

 

You already have enough actinics with the pc 50/50's IMO. I would use two regular T5's (10000-20000K or anything in between) to really increase the lighting. The intensity of T5's is usually a little more than pcs, depending on which two setups you are comparing. A good T5 setup has an intensity to grow anything you could ever want. I'm pretty sure that T5's rely heavily on the reflector in the bulb so a good set of bulbs is a must.

 

May I suggest Metal Halide lighting?!!!!!! Just take a look at them and what they offer. It is better to spend alittle more money up front as well to get the right lights NOW, even though they may not be what you need with the corals you have in your tank right now, as none of your corals are intense light demanding corals!...However!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I am sure in the near future, you will be enticed by some of the more vibrant exotic sps(Montipora's and Acropora's) and need an intense lighting system.
So, take it from me who has spent a fortune by buying 3 different lighting fixtures before smartening up and getting the HQI metal halides to handle the many awesome SPS' that require pretty intense lighting!!!!!!!!
Basically, I don't want you tomake the same mistakes that I made with respect to the money and the switching of my lights 3 times over!!!!

 

Coral reefer is right in every way in my opinion

 

I don't like the way MH look at all. I prefer the look of fluorescents plus they use up less hydro and they heat up your tank less. I don't want to get into chillers either. I also cannot hang anything from my ceiling. It's concrete and I'm in an apartment and they don't allow much of anything to be done in the apartment. MH is not an option for me so it has to be vho's or pc's.
I completly hear what your saying. I am tired of spending more and more. That's why I am trying to get something to go with what I currently have. Could someone advise me on the total wattage and spectrum of bulbs I would need to make my lighting much better. I don't expect MH quality but something that is good for lps and softies. Lots of people have wonderful tanks with fluorescents unfortunatly my pc's are just not enough.

I have someone who makes lighting for tanks, now all I need is to give him what I need made. I am looking at having a pc or vho fixture made to sit next to mine. What would you guys suggest for how many bulbs and the wattage. I have 2 x 65 watts = 130 watts 50/50

would you go 2 x 96watt pc's
or 1 or 2 x 110w vho?

I am so confused as to what to do? I would be using 10000k bulbs most likely nothing less.

 

I would go with VHO over PC any day.

PS. I sent you PM too