Is a 260 watt PC better than a 224 watt T5? or Vice Versa?

[Hugeness]

I'm just trying to figure out what kind of lighting to get for a new setup...

Is it just about the power or is there something that makes T5's better ? Do they spread the light better? Not sure what the appeal is to go with the T5s over PC...

Thx.

[ek9vboi]

The reflectors on T5s put out more... way more then PCs. The only problem with T5s right now is the spectrum, which isnt not perfect yet. Maybe in the next few years.

I would go with VHOs.

[Travis L. Stevens]

I would go with T5s over VHO and PCs. The intensity with T5s with individual reflectors is hard to beat. Quite comparable to MHs really. Though they don't currently have a huge range of color temperatures, the point is moot since you can mix and match various bulbs. You could get a 4 bulb set up and put in a 10,000K, ~14,000K, 20,000K, and an Actinic for an amazing range of color and a wonderful blue look.

[cveverly]

I recently made the change from 210 watt PC to 216 watt T5. My coral seem to really like the change. Hard to explain but the stuff in the tank looks sharper. Kind of like going from digital TV to HDTV. I can not understand why but things look different.

[DSMpunk]

Another vote for T-5s.

[jmack]

Are T5's hot like MH? Also where do you get the hoods if you can't use a retro?

[Fish'InMN]

There are a number of T5 fixtures out on the market, some with individual reflectors and some without. There are a wide variety of bulbs on the market, even if they aren't specifically designed for aquarium-use. Find a good combination of whites and blues and it should look pretty sharp. :)

I am not sure about the heat issues, but I would definetly go for T5s over PCs.

[bertoni]

I agree that a good T5 setup (individual reflectors per bulb) is more efficient than a PC setup. I don't like the looks of T5, but that is just personal taste.

[Hugeness]

So a T5 without the individual reflectors isn't worth it? How would that compare to a PC of similar wattage if the T5 didn't have the individual reflectors?

Thx

[Randall_James]

there are "gang" reflectors that are actually pretty efficient. The problem is that the fixtures that are in them are typically not very "reefer" friendly. Tank water plays havoc on them and can cause a fire.
IceCap makes standoffs and endcaps that work just fine as a retrofit. The reflectors are also equally available at really decent prices.

The PC bulb doubles back on itself and that is why they loose the efficiency battle. You loose maybe 25% of the bulbs output just because it is up against another length of the light. The light there is wasted.

Here is a gang fixture (I light my work space with this) with "Non reef safe" ends. This is a 1 piece reflector that houses 6 bulbs and is just fine. It is hard to see here but the reflector wraps around each bulb.

I think what most mean by "Individual reflectors" is that you do not have a single flat reflector behind the bulbs like PC's use

This is a 6X54W fixture that cost $211 complete. We used this to test against a single 400W MH and the 400W MH got spanked
http://mytankpics.com/tanks/albums/userpics/10002/thumb_t5.JPG (http://mytankpics.com/tanks/albums/userpics/10002/t5.JPG)
click to enlarge

[bertoni]

I would expect PC and T5 to be about equally efficient if used with the standard, junky PC reflector. The technology is pretty similar. There's less self-blockage with T5, and that's about it.

[Randall_James]

\_______/ junky PC reflector

\_/\_/\_/\_/ Good reflector of course bulbs sit inside better :)

[gabegmonkey]

Nice Visual Randall!! :) HA HA

[Nano Chris]

I like the mh's better because they 'shimmer' unlike pc/t5 afaik.

[IPowderBlueTang]

Go for the T-5's.