96w PC vs 2 54w T5's

[E.Smith]

I have 2 36" 96w PC's (50/50) bulbs

I am considering upgrading to 4 54w T5's (48"L)

I would go with a TEK T5 retro kit
with ATI bulbs
2 Aquablue &
2 Blueplus

My question is how much more intense would 2 T5 bulbs (Aquablue/Blueplus) be compared to my 2 96w bulbs. Also how much stronger would the IC 660 ballast push the bulbs compared to TEK's Triad ballast. Thanks ahead of time for any responses.
Thanks
Erik

[egdevilboy]

Stronger is not really in question.

The main difference is T5s are smaller and run cooler.

[Ten33]

What are your tank specs, and what do you want to keep? There is definately an issue about intensity, especially when individual reflectors are used for each T5 bulb.

[E.Smith]

Tank spec's are 60" X 18"w X 20"h

I would like to start keeping more sps, and stony type corals.
I will be upgrading my MH lighting from 175w to 250w
Due to room issues I will be using TEK's reflectors and not
IC SLR's.
Again I am more concerened about the difference in intensity, not
whether they are cooler or smaller.
Thanks for the replies

[mufret]

They will be quite a bit more intense because of the individual reflectors. You will also get additional coverage because the 96w PC bulbs are only 33"-34" long while the 54w T5 bulbs are 46"-47" long. There are also 60" T5HO setups out there which might fit your tank a bit better. The IceCap ballast (660 or 430) will overdrive the bulbs (there's more about this in the IceCap forum). If I'm not mistaken, IceCap claims that the 54w bulbs will put out 80w - 85w when driven by one of their ballasts. I run both the Traid and IceCap 660 and there is a significant difference between the 2.

[E.Smith]

Mufret I am curious just how much of a difference there is between the IceCap and the Traid that you have noticed.
I probably am going to end up with the Traid ballast