want to buy new light need help

i have a 75 g with 70lbs of l.r and an some corals i wanted to know the best t5 light to get will that cut it for most corals like brains and zoas? whats the diffrence between a t5 vs a 10000k compact flour? I have the compact floro is it junk will it grow any corals?

 

compact florecent uses more power but is less powerfull than t-5's. Get a 6 bulb t-5 fixture and you should be set for most corals. T-5s are better because you can use many different bulb combinations for the desired look and maximize your par output.

 

The best T5 fixture to get IMO would be an ATI power module. As far as PC goes, you can use them, but IMO, they are far from ideal for reef tanks. Read up on kelvin temperature for bulbs and other various lighting methods. It seems you may be confused about the temperature of various bulbs.

 

The light issue was my biggest headache in this hobby when I first started out. I didn't know anything about Watts, Kelvin, PAR, Lumens per Watt, Halides, LEDs, Moonlights, Reds, Pinks, Blues, Yellows, Purples, 10000k, 6500k, LUX readings, T12's, T6's, T5's, 4bulb, 6bulb, 8bulb, and blah, blah, blah, ect, ect, ect.

I have to admit it is frustrating if you are just starting out in the hobby. It takes a little bit of time to fully understand what people are talking about. Don't get discouraged, (at first, for me, that above paragraph mise-well-have been in Chinese) but it will get easier.

On that note, if your not new to the hobby then your one step further than I was when I asked this question. The bottom line is, never penny pinch when it comes to lighting. Get the best you can afford and if you can't afford the best now your better off saving up and getting it later.

 

Great advice. You will save money by buying something that is quality and well engineered.

 

ATI's are great if you have the money. If you want a good fixture at a reasonable price look into the Nova's. I run this model on my 75g and have had no complaints.
Current USA Nova Extreme T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 4X54 Watt, 48 inch

 

A 4x54W T5HO will work fine for brains and zoas. If you want SPS just keep them on top of the rocks. I suggest getting 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 ATI Aquablue Special. The Aquablue Special is a white light, the Purple Plus is purple and will make pinks, reds and purples stand out, the Blue Plus is blue with a lot of actinic light. This combo should help you grow most any reef creature you want.