looking for t5 lighting for a 125 gallon tank

[saltynewb]

125 Gallon, 72 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 23 3/8
i dont want mh cuz its very expensive upkeep and electric bill
so t5 is gunna have to do it for me

 

[jerl77]

i have an 8 bulb over mine

 

[saltynewb]

just one?

so just 1 8 bulb? in the middle ?

 

[jerl77]

? I am not getting what you are saying I would buy an 60 inch ati fixture with 8 or 10 bulbs

 

[saltynewb]

ohh a 60 inch , i thought u meant a 36 inch , sorry im noob

 

[jerl77]

You can get 2 36 inch ones too if you like

 

[saltynewb]

how hard does it hit ur electric bill?

 

[tommy1618]

I have a coralife believe its pc with moonlights. Will need new bulbs

 

[saltynewb]

how much do u want? how long is it ? how many bulbs does it hold?

 

[tommy1618]

6' long, it takes 4 double bulbs, t5 i believe actually. Urs 4 100 bucks. Coralife i think

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

Tom if the bulbs are double and U shaped they are PC

 

[tommy1618]

Yes but i thought pin made the difference ok pc lol thanks trigger

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

nah..pcs are either straight or square pin 4 pins regardless,t5's are just long very skinny florescent tubes 1 pin on each side.

 

[tommy1618]

Whats better?

 

[masterswimmer]

Whats better?

Without a doubt T5's are better than PC's.....HOWEVER, there are garbage T5's on the market too.

One of the most important qualities of a T5 fixture are the reflectors. It is critical to have individual reflectors for each bulb. Each reflector should be highly polished and parabolic in shape.

If you take a cheap T5 fixture and a decent PC fixture side by side, it is possible to have the PC out perform the T5. OVERALL though, I'd take the T5 every day of the week over the PC's. Just be smart about your purchase. Don't evaluate any product solely based on cost, you'll wind up spending a lot of money in the long run by buying the same item numerous times and upgrading each time. It is much more cost effective to spend a bit more upfront to buy quality the first time.

Good luck with your new system.

Russ

 

[tommy1618]

Thanks for the info masterswimmer