T5's vs PC (1 Viewer)

[JR]

Is T5 lighting really better than power compacts (PC)? I know that the T5 bulbs last longer, but it takes more T5 bulbs to produce the same output. Any advice is welcomed.


I have a 90gal with SPS corals, live rock and a few fish and a GBT anemone.

 

[ShaneV]

IMO T5s are much better if you get the HO's and the individual reflectors.

Dont compare watts to watts its not a good comparison.

I replaced 440 watts of VHO with 180 watts of T5s and its visibaly brighter.

 

[ShaneV]

4 or 6 48" -T5HO would work great on your 90 gallon. I had 4 on mine for quite some time and kept clams, an LTA and most kinds of coral including some SPS's.

 

[BadFish]

I have 4 48" t-5's on my 110 and I have acros growing like weeds right now. Don't know if that helps in your decision at all.

 

[landfish]

T5HO with individual reflectors. They are the bomb!!!!!!!!

 

[dstachio]

What bulbs are you guys using?? 1000k, 6500k, super act, regular act?

Im starting to consider these guys over my VHO to cut down on electricity maybe and hopefully some heat.

 

[JR]

ShaneV, you stated that you cannot compare watts to watts. Everything that I have read states that you need at least 3 to 4 watts per gallon. Can you explain why this does not apply to T5 lighting?

 

[ShaneV]

IMO watts per gallon is useless.

Watts is a measure of energy used, not amount of light produced.

Think of it the same as the compact flourescent bulbs you see to replace incandescent bulbs. 13 watt CF bulb puts out the equivalent light of a 60 watt incandescent which allows you to save money on your electric bill.


The only time watts is useful is when comparing similar bulbs, but even then great differences between manufactuers means the light output varies even with similar wattage.

What you want to compare is lumen output and PAR values.

Heres a good artilce and compares some lights:
http://www.aquabotanic.com/lightcompare.htm

Small example from that chart:
55 watt pc bulb - 4230 lumens 61.0 PAR
54 watt T5HO - 5000 lumens 69.0 PAR

 

[JR]

One last question. Does T5 HO lighting produce more heat than PC lighting?

 

[Diver]

I took Shane's advice and placed four T5's - 2 Giessmann (sp?) Power Chrome Aquablue plus and 1 Pure Actinic and 1 Actinic Plus.

A total of Four (4) 48 inch T5's over my 90 gallon and my clam is kicking butt as you can see by the attached photo.

I went from almost 440 watts of VHO and PC to a little over 200 watts of T5's.

Half the power and an abundance of quality lighting. And they run very cool too.

Diver

 

[ShaneV]

They are fairly low heat. I have found that active cooling on the bulbs (I use a 12 volt PC fan) helps get both maximum life and maximum light output from T5's.

Nice clam Diver.

 

[crvz]

One last question. Does T5 HO lighting produce more heat than PC lighting?

It can, but it depends. Generally I'd say no (watt to watt comparison), but I overdrive my bulbs with icecap ballasts and they can get pretty hot. It's almost required to use fans when you overdrive T5 bulbs, though, as it ups their servicable life and actually increases PAR output.

 

[crvz]

They are fairly low heat. I have found that active cooling on the bulbs (I use a 12 volt PC fan) helps get both maximum life and maximum light output from T5's.

Whoa. It's like you're in my head (or vice versa).

 

[JR]

New T5 HO

I just got my T5 HO light fixture and wow what a difference. I replaced a PC light fixture with 4X65 watt lights with a T5 HO 4X54 watt and the amount of light that the T5's put out blow the PC away. Thanks to everyone for the input and guidance.

 

[sempfi]

which fixture did you get and from where?

thanks