What do you think is better?

[DRENALYN9]

what would you rather have?

4 x 39 watt T5 HO

or

2 x 96 watt power compact

 

[DEEPWATER]

t5

 

[herman]

definitely T5

 

[masterswimmer]

Depends on which T5 you go with. If you go with a quality unit, there is no comparison. I use T5's and I can keep anything I want under them. The same cannot be said for PC's. However, a cheap T5 unit is no better than PC's.

Make sure you get INDIVIDUAL, highly polished, parabolic reflectors.

Russ

 

[inkblue]

:yo: iF i yoU are on a buDget, i wouLd get the PCs since y0u can get 'em here for leSs that $100 (which btw i uSe effectiveLy on a smaLL 30G tank), buT iF u tHink u have some disposaBLe income yoU can d0 away wiTh, then i wouLd sEe Russ' post aboVe :biglaugh::dog::starfish::fish:

 

[Quang]

Go with T-5s...you will want to upgrade to them from usin PCs like me. I'm getting a Tek fixture soon.

 

[DRENALYN9]

yeah i think that it is time for an upgrade

 

[scarf_ace1981]

i was told by a rep @ marine depot that pc is just a t5 folded in half. he also said the t5 were a little better but nothing to brag about. i have the nova extreme 4-39w 3 moonlight fixture and am currently using it for my sump. that's what i think about it. i'm sure if i put a icecap660 on it i'll get more use out of it. it is important which t5 fixture you go w/.

 

[DRENALYN9]

i was going to make a custom one 4 X 39Watt HO t5 bulbs. and put it in a custom canopy.

get two of these
http://www.ballastwise.com/images/upload/Documents/DXE239HO5.pdf

 

[masterswimmer]

The ballasts are obviously an important component of the fixture. However, more important are the reflectors. I don't know how I can possibly stress this anymore. The cheap reflectors are the flat reflectors that are positioned above your bulbs. These reflectors direct the light that is emitted from the top of the bulb straight down into the bulb itself. That light is effectively rendered useless. The INDIVIDUAL, HIGHLY POLISHED, PARABOLIC reflectors are designed to refract the light coming out of the top of the bulb and direct it AROUND the bulb and into the water below. This is one of the features of a quality fixture that makes T5's so efficient.

Do yourself a favor and do not waste your money on any T5 fixture that does not incorporate INDIVIDUAL, HIGHLY POLISHED, PARABOLIC reflectors (I hope I've made myself clear about INDIVIDUAL, HIGHLY POLISHED, PARABOLIC reflectors :biggrin: ) into their fixture or components for a DIY hood. They are not worth the money you'll spend on them.

scarf, I'm glad you relegated the information you got from the MD rep to your fuge. He obviously doesn't know much about lighting.

Russ

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Russ

What is the most important part to look for in a T5 light fixture?

 

[masterswimmer]

Russ

What is the most important part to look for in a T5 light fixture?

I'm not sure what you mean Brendan. :scratchch
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Or could it be INDIVIDUAL, HIGHLY POLISHED, PARABOLIC reflectors? :tongue1:

Russ

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Yup that was it

ROTFLMAO!!!!

 

[DRENALYN9]

i am polishiing .008 ml aluminum and custom fitting in a canopy i am going to build.

4 x 39watt t5 ho and 1 175 watt mh

 

[DEEPWATER]

I'm not sure what you mean Brendan. :scratchch

Or could it be INDIVIDUAL, HIGHLY POLISHED, PARABOLIC reflectors? :tongue1:

Russ

pm if you need anything for your t5 including the ballast ,bulbs reflectors

 

[masterswimmer]

i am polishiing .008 ml aluminum and custom fitting in a canopy i am going to build.

4 x 39watt t5 ho and 1 175 watt mh

You will need to bend the aluminum so that you have INDIVIDUAL, highly polish, PARABOLIC reflectors.

The aluminum must be shaped into a parabola with the correct angles in order to optimize efficiency. Having a highly polished piece of flat aluminum above the bulbs will NOT be worth your efforts. Sorry, there is a bit of reasoning to this that I seem to be loosing. :biggrin:

master