PC or T5

[NYC OZ]

What is better? Any suggestions for a 55 Gall reef. Would like to keep an assortment of corals. My current canopy can house either, but MH will be out of the question. Any help is appreciated..

 

[Sean]

If they're VHO T5's Id go with the T5's

But regular output I'd go with the PC's

 

[Justin_NY]

i got this from premium aquatic about PC:
the drawback about PC bulb is the actinic, is not a true actinic. they not glowing like the vho. so it's a different look and may also contribute to algae problems.
i dunno about the T5
anymore comment guys?

 

[marrone]

I would go with the T-5's. They're much brighter than the PC's and last alot longer, 1 - 1 1/2 years. Also because of the size you can get more bulbs in the same space as PC's would take up. A # of months ago I changed over from 2 55w PC's to 6 T-5 bulbs, which took up the same space, and the light was much brighter and my corals seem to be doing alot better. Also T-5 use less electric and run alot cooler than PC's lights.

Since you can go with more bulbs you can do a better mix with T-5's. The only problem with T-5's is the pure Actinic bulbs aren't that great. If you do go with them you would to get Blue, Marine Blue & Blue Plus bulbs. There are a # of threads on RC about the different type of T-5 bulbs.

 

[ShaunW]

PC break alot because there are fragile and must be treated carefully. Additionally if you place them too close to the water without leaving room for heat displacement then they will break also. It will cost you in the long-run replacing bulbs. T5's don't have any of these problems. I have used both and will never use PC again.

 

[jreef]

You can get true .03 actinic pcs at Hello lights.

 

[jackson6745]

NYC OZ, get yourself an IC660 ballast and sunlight supply reflectors for as many T5 bulbs as you plan on using (6 would be good for a 55gal)
USE ATI bulbs only.

I would use 3 blue plus + 1 true actinic, and 2 suns. This combination will give your tank an overall 14k look (white with a blue tint but not overly blue)

You can keep great color on SPS with this lighting or it will be great for LPS and softies too.

PC's are a thing of the past, don't bother. T5's with the right ballast and reflector are the next brightest/best thing to halides

 

[michael chu]

i better choose t5
i already used it
it was good for any soft corals and some sps
i do same as like jackson.

 

[marrone]

If you can get the Tek system and install it in your hood that would be better than getting seperate retro units. You can acutally get an 4,6 or 8 bulb setup. As for bulbs this is what I'm currently running:

Marine Blue
Blue Plus(Actinic)
Sun(6000k)
Aqua Blue
Blue Plus(Actinic)
Aqua Blue+ (11000k)

The Aqua Blue+ 11000k is very white. The 2 bulbs that I had on the front are the Marine Blue and the back the Aqua Blue+. I would stay away from the true actinic as they're not that good of a bulb. Here are a couple of good links from RC on T-5 about bulbs and the positining of them.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=401937&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=451690

Hhttp://reefgeek.com/manufacturers/sunlight_supply.html

 

[gforce6]

I accidentally bid on this T-5 ballasts.

What do you guys think?
It is kind of expensive to buy tek system, so I am going to DIY.

here is the link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3863765657&ssPageName=STRK:MEBI:IT