should i replace pc or get a T5

[WyldFya]

its kinda up to you... your plants are not HIGH light plants. it looks like that T-5 fixture is a NO (Normal Output) light so the par output would be less then the PC (i think).....T-5 bulbs are cheaper then PC bulbs but if your looking for a stronger light source a T-5 HO (High Output) would be the way to go. i love my T-5 HO fixtures you have many many many bulb types to choose from and get way more PAR then almost any other fixture for the watts used.

also the actinic lights will do very little to nothing for your plants. plants can use light ranging between 6500k (kelvin) and 11000k the 11000 would be pushing it as far as usable light for the plants.

hope that helps.

Actually 4500k-10,000K is the acceptable range.

 

[WyldFya]

I would just buy the quad strip if you are gonna spend the money. Each light in it has its own switch so you can run as many as you want. 42 watts isnt much. Just about 1WPG with your 38gal. Just think of what you could grow with 4 bulbs!!!!

WPG doesn't apply here. 2 21W HO T5 bulbs over a 38 is quite a bit of light.