PC vs HO T-5's?

I am wanting to upgrade the lighting on my 20g FW planted tank to a more powerful light. Right now I have a 65w PC but I have been looking at 130w PC and a 48w T-5 HO fixture. I'm not very familiar with HO T-5 lighting. Which has a greater PAR, the 48w T-5's or the 130w PC's. Thanks for the help.
Larry

 

I like the look much better on the T5 HO, and my corals did not change all from going from MH to T5 HO. Just my opinion. I went from PC to MH to T5.

 

the PAR on t-5's tends to be greater, all bulbs are different, different spectrums, etc....you'd have to look up side by side comparisons to get the exact numbers. the thing to remember with t-5's is that it all comes down to the output and reflectors. if you aren't buying HO t-5's then you might as well stick with pc's, and the reflectors are the most important part of the fixture...the only unit i've seen in the states that will out perform any pc unit and is comparable to a MH unit is a SLS (sunlight supply) TEK light. Sunlight T5's: Premium Aquatics

not to put down malachi in any way, shape or form... the nova is HO but it doesn't have the individual reflectors (from what i've researched). by what i mean is you'll either have one big reflector for all the bulbs or you'll have individual reflectors, one reflector per bulb. individual reflectors make all the difference in how a t-5 bulbs light is reflected and directed into the aquarium. it's the one thing that will decide whether or not you could keep SPS, some mobile invertebrates (anemones), clams, etc. or not.... HTH.

 

you are correct that it does not have ind. reflector. I am still working on that, problem is i don't want to block the moon lamps. But i have corals at 36" deep doing just as good as the MH. THe only thing that maybe decrease from the MH was the Xenia are not as tall. My Torch COrals had no negative affect. Only thing i truely did not like about PC was the Actinic, never thought it look as good as T5 or even VHO. But, i have not had PC for over 2 years now, so this could be totally different now days.

 

just something to think about....i think SLS or giesemann puts out individual reflectors so if you wanted to retrofit some into your existing fixture someday, there is always that option if you ever needed it to happen.

 

I can probably do the two out side bulbs, but the inside has three Moon Lamps which the reflector will block. Maybe tonight i will add one to the outside bulb. I got one with the unit, before spend $$ on 4 incase i could not add them. Or i could add two and cut off the side that would block the moon light.

 

sounds like a plan, it was just a suggestion but let me know how that works out for you.

 

Considering this is for a 20G FW planted tank I think the Nova will be fine. Do they have a ~6K FW bulb setup?

The high level T-5HO equipment is blowing up now. There has been a few new fixtures that came out in the last month or so. The German made ATI fixture is suppose to be top notch and reekgeek will have it in a month or so.

Also IceCap is partnering with Aquactinics to release a 6 bulb over driven fixture with two Icecap ballast and the SLR reflectors. Its going to be pricey but you could easily run a 120G SPS tank with one of those. Anyway MACNA buzz.

If your looking for more growth have you tired CO2 yet?

 

I'm already CO2, but i cannot keep red plants alive, they need more than a 65watt PC. No one has answered my question though. Is 48 watts of T-5 HO lighting better than 130watts of PC lighting? (or am I missing something?)

 

I think intensity wise I think that would be about even. I kept red plants in my 75g under 130W of PC and that tank was 4' long. Do you have enough iron in the water?