t-5 lighting vs. power compact

jeffwee559

My question is what's the real main difference between the t-5 florescent and the power compact lighting systems? I've used them both and for some reason power compact was always the better lighting system to my understanding, but the corals like mushrooms and polyps and ect seem to do better under a T-5. What I thought was T-5 put out less intense light and power compacts put out more and thus light penetration was greater with the power compact (that's why you pay the extra money.) I also understand that power compacts do produce more wattage, but my question is whats the main difference and which is better( if it is for just certain corals.)

Thanks,
Jeff

SK8URDEAD

well from what i know pc give out more penetration, thus the light will go deeper into the water more closer hitting the corals and etc on top and bottom of the tank. t-5 especially HO t-5 give out a brighter light with less wattage, but the brighter the light and if the right light the better the corals will grow/live but doesnt really reach all the way to the bottom depending on tank size.

Cody

T5's are better than PC's. Period. There is no way, for example, that a 100W PC light, is even in comparision to a 100W T5 light.

Here are some tanks with T5s:
T5HO Information - Nano-Reef.com Forums

Differences:
T5 runs way cooler
T5 is more energy effiecent
T5 should have individual reflectors which directs all of the light into the tank whereas PC's with only one reflector absorb some of it.
T5 is considered better than halides in some cases. (IE T5 vs Metal Halide debate answered - Saltwaterfish.com Message Boards )
You can keep SPS/Clams under most T5

onefish2fish

i use t5s
i like t5s
i prefer them over metal halides

Cody

Well, it seems we have a poet! And you didn't even know it...

Sorry, had to say it.

jeffwee559

For space concerns, what if you ran T-5's along side PC's? would that work just as well? It's so hard to get the wattage with t5s.

onefish2fish

what size is your tank?

jeffwee559

29 show

Cody

You do know that T5's are smaller than PCs?

And what are the dimensions of a 29 show? That could be anything since it was probably custom made.

jeffwee559

its the sea clear 29 acryliic. i know it's quite tall.