T5 Vs. Compact Fluorescent (newbie in need)

[sfranqui_29gallon]

I'm starting a 75 gallon reef tank with JUST soft corals.

Would you recommend 48"

compact fluorescent (260 watt = 4 x 65 watt) with moon lights
or
T5 lights (324 watts = 6 x 54 watts) no moon lights.

I've got a sump, protein skimmer and chemical filter. Please advise.

 

[mgk]

t5>pc

 

[mr.reef24]

T5's

mr.reef24

 

[RedDwarf]

T5's are going to be much better than the pc's, as long as they have a good reflector on them. You can always buy some moon lights and add them to your fixture.

 

[JoeBel]

even though I myself have a PC coralife lunar 260w fixture (will upgrade to a Current T5 fixture soon), IMO the benefit of T5 is much greater than PC lighting.

- longer lasting bulbs
- runs cooler than PC
- cheaper replacement bulbs
- a stronger light intensity (reaches farther down into the tank)
- price is now about the same as PC
- more bulbs in an equal sized fixture so you can experiment more

as mentioned above individual reflectors is def the way to go

so yeah +1 on T5

 

[BIGgourami]

do either have a parabolic or individual reflectors?

PC with indi reflectors beats a T5 without
most T5's have at least a parabolic reflector, but the ones with the individuals are tops

i have a 8x56 watt T5 over my 75 gallon, it has indi relfectors and the things is a beast!

 

[sfranqui_29gallon]

Where did you get a 8x56 watt T5? All i have found is the Nova Extreme Pro (6x54 watt) for 48". What, where, when?...I want ass kicking too.

 

[MadRussian79]

Pretty sure he means 8X54. One place to get them is
http://www.innovativelights.com/ss-960045.html not cheap but plenty of light.

Just do a google serach for "t5 lighting 8x54" your looking at $300-$500 some have bulbs some don't.

 

[BIGgourami]

Where did you get a 8x56 watt T5? All i have found is the Nova Extreme Pro (6x54 watt) for 48". What, where, when?...I want ass kicking too.

sunlight supply co. their TEK series lights...
this is where i got them, i'm sure you can find them for less somewhere, although they are currently about half of what i paid for them ...
http://www.marinedepot.com/48_inch_...t_Supply_Inc-SL2111-FILTFIT58U-SL2121-vi.html

Pretty sure he means 8X54.

i'm not exactly sure what wattage the bulbs are, it's whatever the standard is that's around 50-55W

 

[Kevin8888]

Where did you get a 8x56 watt T5? All i have found is the Nova Extreme Pro (6x54 watt) for 48". What, where, when?...I want ass kicking too.

ATI has 8x54W, and 10x54W as well as 8x80W and 10x80W, though they are expencive (like 1000$+ a fixture, but from what I hear some of the best T5 lights around. Blua Aquaristic also has the same as ATI with around the same prices. I'm pretty sure both have either a fan per bulb or a fan for every 2 bulbs which means full T5 preformance for a year vs. replacing every 6 months as recomended for "hot" T5 bulbs.

Giesemann MATRIX also has the same but up to 12 bulbs per fixture. Though again cost alot more, I'm not sure how many fans the Giesemann MATRIX has though.