T5 or PC supplement ?

[seaweed88]

I am running a canopy over my 90 with 2 250 watt MH and 2 96 watt PCs. I am getting ready to change bulbs again and before I do I have a question. Would I be better off if I replaced the PCs with 2 48 inch T5s? If so what bulbs would you suggest. I am running 14k Reeflux MH bulbs

 

[returnofsid]

You'll be MUCH better off switching to T5HO, for a few reasons.

T5HO, even in the bluer spectrum, still offers decent to high PAR values.
T5HO will run much cooler than PC bulbs.

Maybe the most important reason:

PC bulbs are getting harder and harder to find. I think they're becoming obsolete. Before too much longer, you're going to find a lot of vendors discontinuing PC bulbs. At that point, you'll have trouble finding replacement bulbs.

As for bulb suggestions, you have quite a selection to choose from. I'd suggest picking, among the following.

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI True Actinic 03
Giesemann Actinic Plus
Giesmann Pure Actinic 03
Korallen Zucht (KZ) Fiji Purple
UV Lightings Super Actinic

 

[Tabasco1]

I have been noticing that PC bulbs are getting harder to find myself. Might buy some back ups until I am ready to make the switch just to make sure I have them.

 

[seaweed88]

I know I can stick 2 t5ho lamps in the canopy and I might be able to put in 4 although I think 4 might be 2 much. I can buy the parts and bulbs including individual reflectors for right around 100 dollars. I am paying almost that for 2 PC bulbs which need to be changed every 6 months.

 

[butts182]

i would switch to the T5s if i were you...i would go with ati blue plus or maybe an ati purple plus or gieseman actinic bulbs, or a combo of these

 

[Captain Nemo]

Personally I would switch to the t5's they are more abundant and cheaper than the p 's

 

[drainbamage]

I'd switch to T5's: In cost alone it'll be worth it, plus many PC's are being discontinued from production. Basically everything Sid said is pretty much my opinion too.

 

[seaweed88]

If I switch out 2 96 watt PCs for 2 54 watt ho lamps am I gaining par or losing ?

 

[drainbamage]

If I switch out 2 96 watt PCs for 2 54 watt ho lamps am I gaining par or losing ?

Can't give you exact numbers, but IMO/IME you'd be gaining, simply owing to the better conversion T5's do of energy into light instead of heat.

 

[seaweed88]

So if I replace the old PCs with t5 hos, I will use 2 ATI lamps, should I use individual reflectors or just stay with the reflector in the canopy? The canopy is a 48 inch stainless housing with a full length reflector inside.

 

[drainbamage]

So if I replace the old PCs with t5 hos, I will use 2 ATI lamps, should I use individual reflectors or just stay with the reflector in the canopy? The canopy is a 48 inch stainless housing with a full length reflector inside.

Individual reflectors are simply better than non-individuals, so I'd suggest you go that route. However, I wouldn't consider it a must, as IMO, you'll still be generating more light with your HO T5's compared to what you were getting out of your PCs. It's a matter more of how much more you want/need.

 

[seaweed88]

Cool... Thanks for the help all... I am going to order a retro kit Monday. I believe I will go with the ATI bulbs. I am going to change both the MH bulbs out soon. I have 14 k bulbs in now. I am just starting with half dozen Sps , mostly Birdsnest, 8 to 10 Montis and some LPS across the bottom. I have some Zoa and Paly scattered around the tank. WHICH ATI bulbs would you recommend?

 

[drainbamage]

if you're running 14k's for your halides, the bulb choice is really dependent upon what color you like the tank to be. Me I'm a bluehead, so I'd go for actinic+'s, but I also used to run a 20k bulb with actinics on top of it, so yea, I like the blue glow :xd:

 

[seaweed88]

What does the purple lamp do for you?

 

[drainbamage]

Hopefully someone else chimes in on the purple- I had a limited experience with it (used a fiji pink, but supposedly a similar bulb.) Using it in conjunction with 2 actinic+ and a pure actinic, it was still too red for me. With your 14 k halides kicking next to it, that red might get muted a little in which case it's great for coral growth (the red/yellow spectrum being more ideal for coral growth) but having not run that combo, I'd rather not try and tell you what way to go with that one.

 

[seaweed88]

Thanks for the help!!!!

 

[seaweed88]

I am thinking of adding the 2 t5 ho's and then 2 MoonVue 48″ LED Retro Tube 74 LEDs. If I use this combination will should this change my choice of t5 lamps?