Lighting: T5HO vs. PC

[Aquadan88]

Hey, so I've been doing some research, and I'm trying to figure out what would be better for my 15 gal nano tank. I've been using PCs for a little bit, and i'm happy with the results, but I'd like to venture into something different, and less expensive. I'm currently looking at 2 different lighting fixtures.

24" Coralife Lunar Aqualight™ Deluxe $134.95 and the Nova Extreme 24" T5 HO 2 x 24 watt $44.90

In my research, people are saying that they prefer the T5HO beter than the PC, but i was wondering, in such a tank, what would give me the most benefit and coral growth, and also be cost effective.

Can someone help me?

 

[Arthur1]

I don't have time to look at those fixtures as I should have left by now but heres some insight for you. If the T5HOs have individual reflectors you'll have better light reflection into the tank. I have not ever been a fan of PCs. I have seen some beautiful nano tanks with pcs but if given the choice over pcs or T5 HOs with indivual reflectors, I wouldnt even ponder it.

 

[FOXYB]

1+ on the individual reflectors if not look for one with individual reflectors

 

[Aquadan88]

Well, I can always buy individual reflectors that attach to the bulb and modify the unit if I have to. i'd rather spend $50 on a T5HO + $40 on 2 reflectors than $140 on a PC unit that won't be as effective.

 

[afboundguy]

PC's vs T5 it isn't even a competition. Go with T5's. I switched from PC's to T5's and love it. Def get the indiv reflectors. I compared my PAR numbers to some1 that only had a parabolic reflector who had twice as many bulbs as I did and my PAR readings were almost twice as high at the sand bed (100 vs 185-190)

 

[mikede]

I thought I read that the nova extreme "Pro" had individual reflectors. Just a thought

 

[Greg Hiller]

I think PC's are kind of old tech, they just don't get the light down into the tank very effectively.

 

[Aquadan88]

I think the pro series has 4 bulbs also, doesn't it? And it's also just as expensive as the PC unit, if not more. I can't be certain right now, i'm on my Windows Mobile Phone.

 

[Arthur1]

Aqua there are many different brand names carrying T5 fixtures and retro kits. At least one but probably more i noticed actually have 1 reflector bent to create the individual reflector "look" but are not as effective as the individual reflectors themselves. Have fun shopping.

 

[Aquadan88]

Well, Like I said, i can always modify the fixture if needed. And they do sell individual reflectors that snap onto the bulbs themselves.

 

[Biotoper]

I've researched this a lot and I definitely recommend T5HO. The Nova Extreme Pro is a pretty nice fixture for the cost - it doesn't have individual reflectors but the single reflector is bent slightly around each bulb. However, it only comes in 36" or larger. I have the normal Nova Extreme 4x24W over my 20H. It just has a single reflector. It is a similar price to a 2x65 PC fixture (which I used to have before I had an accident and fried one of the ballasts), but the Nova Extreme uses 34W less and in my opinion still puts out a lot more light, even with the single reflector, and will put out even more when I eventually replace the stock bulbs with high-quality ATI/UVL bulbs. Note that the Nova Extreme fixture is too tight to fit in individual reflectors over each bulb - there's some threads on Reef Central about people modding it to fit in 1 or 2. Apparently Finnex makes a fixture that is more roomy to mod.

With the lower height of the 15g, IMO a 4x24W Nova Extreme with quality bulbs but w/o individual reflectors would probably be enough to grow everything except SPS/clams. If you want a top-of-the-line 24" fixture with individual reflectors, then the best are:
Sunlight Supply Tek ($330) - no fan
ATI Powermodule ($470)
Aquactinics TX5 ($500) - 5 bulbs

As far as I know there are no good 2x24W fixtures currently available, but you could build your own canopy and get retrofits with individual reflectors. $150 for 2 kits w/ bulbs or $280 for 4.

HTH,
Ryan

 

[Aquadan88]

I've been looking into it abit further, and I think that the better choice would be to go with the Current USA 24" 4x24 watt Nova Extreme. You can check it out from the place I'm going to get it from at the following link.

Champion Lighting & Supply (link will take you directly to the fixture)

The fixture does have individual reflectors, and also has 2 circuits versus one, so you can control when each set of lights comes on (actinics and regular 10ks).

The fixture for me would cost roughly $135 as I will get it at wholesale cost. Seems to me that if I was going to spend the money on the Coralife PC system, then I might as well spend it on a better T5 system.


Would this fixture be enough to grow a small clam?

 

[JohnK]

that link didn't work for me, but here's a direct one for that.

http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=20300&cat=633&page=1

 

[JohnK]

Anybody have a pic or link to a pic of the actual reflector set up in that fixture. I'm hearing single reflector, individual SLR reflectors, wondering what really is in there??

 

[Aquadan88]

The reflector in that fixture (the 4x24watt) has individual bulb reflectors.

 

[Aquadan88]

Ahh, nevermind, i caught what you mean in the product description. They make it sound like it's one single reflector, but they also make it seem like there's a reflector for each bulb. i'll take a look to find some pics.

 

[Aquadan88]

So its a German Parabolic reflector, which i think that means its a single reflector that bends around each of the bulbs. I can probably modify it, and cut the reflector and bend it to make 4 individual reflectors.

But now i have a new problem. The champion lighting site says that only the 48" 8 bulb unit has lunar moonlights, where as a few other sites say that all of the units in that series have lunar LEDs, including the 24" 4x24watt unit.

The Lunar LEDs are definately a plus, especially since i was going to add them in anyway, either into the unit itself by modding it, or getting a seperate unit or bar.

I think i might have to call Champion in the morning since that's the wholesaler i'm going to be getting it from, however, if they dont have the LEDs, i might look somewhere else. Anyone else have an opinion on this?

Here's a link to a PDF file Advertisement for the units that say that all the units have LEDs. http://www.coralreefsupply.com/docs/current_novaextreme.pdf

 

[marco67]

Anybody have a pic or link to a pic of the actual reflector set up in that fixture. I'm hearing single reflector, individual SLR reflectors, wondering what really is in there??

I run that fixture over my 54 corner. I meant to take pictures 2 weeks ago when I finally got around to replacing the damn flickering ballasts (that they all end up with after a year at best). It is just a single flat reflector. FWIW it does put out some pretty good light with 2 x worhorse 5 ballasts but even still IMO this fixture is a 3 (1-10) at best. Expect to replace bulbs at ~6 months and ballasts at 1-2 years best. It's typical offshore junk made to target the short money us market.

 

[JohnK]

Thanks marc

 

[Aquadan88]

Well, what about the 4x24watt fixture. I've heard some pretty good things about this unit out of a few different people.

And can anyone answer my question about the LEDs?