Corals

Need more specifics. Are you talking about the amount of wattage, or the specific types of lighting (metal halide, fluerescents, etc.)?
 
T5 High Output and Power compacts will do fine for the majority of softies.
 
yep, power compacts is the best for softies from what i've read.
 
Mr.Firemouth said:
Power compact lights are limiting in terms of keeping a more light demanding species later. Spend your money wisely and buy the T5 fixture. You will be happier later.
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Not to semi-hijack this thread, but I am curious about this. I have a 130w power compact on my 20g nanoreef, but I have seen the arguments that state that T5 is better. The comments revolve around less, heat, longer usable life and more intensity (however this seems to be a function of the reflectors used for each bulb). I'm interested in info. on this - in your opinion, why are PC's more limiting than t5s? I'm looking at other lighting options, including t5s and even the new LED technology (although I think I'll wait a year or two to see how they perform for others). Thanks!
 
On a 20g, I wouldn't consider 130w of PC to be limiting for soft corals. As a tank gets larger and more importantly taller, that's when PCs becoming limiting and T5 HO are more favorable.

And yes, T5 HO being considered better has a lot to do with the use and quality of the individual reflectors.
 
fsn77 said:
On a 20g, I wouldn't consider 130w of PC to be limiting for soft corals. As a tank gets larger and more importantly taller, that's when PCs becoming limiting and T5 HO are more favorable.

And yes, T5 HO being considered better has a lot to do with the use and quality of the individual reflectors.
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So if each PC bulb in a fixture had its own individual reflector, would that level the playing field? Or is there something else about T5s that might make them better?
 
IMO, if they made individual PC reflectors that were similar to the individual T5 reflectors, PCs might be a lot closer to T5s. It's the shape and the faceted style of the individual T5 reflectors that make T5s what they are. Even then, not all T5 reflectors are created equal -- some brands are better than others and essentially you get what you pay for.

Since the diameter of the tube on PC bulbs is not much different than a T5 bulb, there must be something else that makes T5 technology more efficient (perhaps the linearity of the bulbs?). Otherwise, the bulb life wouldn't be so different. Normally driven T5 HO bulbs are effective for 18 - 24 months, while PC bulbs lose their effectiveness within 10 months.
 
How deep does the light of a PC bulb penetrate? I bought my setup from a local guy getting out of the hobby and it came with 2x96 PC setup. The tank is a 45g, I think it's around 18" deep. Once I start adding my softies should I keep them higher up on the rock or will they get enough down low? PC's have always done me right with my FW setups but this SW is new to me. I want to upgrade the lights eventually but now with the cost of my live rock, skimmer, heads, etc. money is getting tight. I wont be able to add any corals for several months so I may be able to afford something good by then so what do you guys reccomend?
 
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