T5's or PCF's??

Ok, I am sure this is posted in here somewhere, but I have already spent too long looking for it. I have about 65-75lbs of live rock, 5 fish, and a few anemones who don't seem to have too much of a problem with the light I currently have (2x30w reg T8's)....except for my LTA who at times seems like it is trying to "reach" towards the top of the tank. I do want to upgrade my lights but don't have the budget for MH's right now....plus I have no plans in the near future to bring in any difficult corals into the tank. Any help and advice would be appreciated. Tank dimentions: 36x18x16

 

t5s all day, theres not even a debate to be had there lol. Look for a nova unit, you can find them pretty cheap used.

 

Wow, ocean recommends T5? You got the flu or something? I would agree(of course) anywhere from 4-6 lamps will suit you well...

 

LOL,well ofcourse it was between t5s or pcs thats no debatable

 

t5 owns PC's in every way, and t5 own vho as well.

Now t5 vs mh? THAT is debatable.

 

I started with PCs because I didn't know better. The bulbs don't last long and don't have a lot of output compared to T5s. T5s are awesome. I have a clam growing on my sandbed, SPS, softies, two BTA anemones. Everybody is happy.

Make sure you get a fixture with individual reflectors or individually contoured reflectors (one reflector shaped like individuals for each bulb). I have a Nova Extreme Pro and love it.

 

Thanks for all the input...but no one actually told me why? Does it have to do with the full spectrum thing, the available power (watts)? Why go with T5, it is more expensive for the same wattage and such....

 

100% agree

The reasons are simple. T5's are better in literally every single way. More power. Better spectrums. They last twice as long. Bulbs are actually cheaper. They use less energy. The list could go on and on.
And pretty soon here you will not even be able to get PC bulbs for reefs without difficulty. The major manufacturers are phasing out PC's for everything but FO, refugiums, those sorts of things.

 

To add onto Packs comments... T5s emit more PAR( photosynethic available radiation-the spectum that corals and plants use to grow) with less wattage consumed and also more lumens per watt as well. So the light is more intense without using the same wattage... Also since T5 is a thin linear lamp you can come up with a VERY efficient... These are called SINGLE LAMP REFLECTORS(SLRs) SO what happens is each lamp is encompassed directing just about ALL the light given off BACK into the tank... Look at PC, that goofy looking u shaped lamp is the problem... Both sides of the lamp that "face" each other waste light and electricity illuminating each other... There is no efficient way to create a reflector to prevent that... The lamp will ALWAYS waste you money lighting itself.

I would bet that within the next 5 years PC at least the linear ones will be phased out in favor of T5, SUPER high output CFs and LEDs...

 

The reason there is so much different between PCs t5s and MH even if they are same wattage is the source of the light. PC bulbs spread the wattage out over much more surface area than a slender t5. MH lamps take it even farther because they are a point source light. Every watt is going strait out from a single point straight to to the tank.