T5 vs Compact?

[jvin85]

I just got myself a 90G and started looking into lighting. I think I've decided to go with a Coralife model that has both day and night bulbs for future upgradeability to SW.

My question is T5 vs Compact... Not sure what I should go with.

A worker at my local Big Als said to go with T5.. Compact was going out of style and would be obsoleted by T5... That advise didn't feel right so I'm wondering what you guys have to say about it.

 

[jcardona1]

I agree. T5HO is the future (until LED prices come down to Earth). These days, you can get better deals on T5HO bulbs and fixtures compared to PC.

 

[12 Volt Man]

T5's. T5HO's are great for planted or reef situations.

for non planted or non coral situations, they are too bright though (too much algae)

 

[aclockworkorange]

Agreed. T5 is the way to go.

 

[ar0wan]

The short lifespan of CF is a deal breaker
I have always hated them and tended to overuse T12s

T5s: run cool, highly efficient, compact, affordable, and available everywhere? WTFBBQ

 

[jvin85]

The short lifespan of CF is a deal breaker
I have always hated them and tended to overuse T12s

T5s: run cool, highly efficient, compact, affordable, and available everywhere? WTFBBQ

So why do people still buy them (PC)?

I found http://www.aquariumguys.com/diy-aquarium-lighting.html where they do a compare side by side. PC's look competitive on their chart.

 

[ar0wan]

because they still have the fixtures lol

from your link:

Power compact (PC) bulbs, better known as compact florescents are the new technology in fluorescents and fast replacing the popular VHO Fluorescent systems over many reef aquariums. They take up less space than NO fluorescent bulbs and use less power to produce more intensity.

I believe T5s runined these benefits that PC had over T12s. They're naow #2 in line.

 

[DMasker]

The short lifespan of CF is a deal breaker
I have always hated them and tended to overuse T12s

T5s: run cool, highly efficient, compact, affordable, and available everywhere? WTFBBQ

I bought a T5 4ft double bulb fixture from home depot for $30 and made my own little fixture for it. Will never look anywhere else but T5 or T5HO.

 

[jcardona1]

because they still have the fixtures lol

from your link:

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I believe T5s runined these benefits that PC had over T12s. They're naow #2 in line.

Yup, and when LED fixtures are affordable to us peasants, then they will have ruined the benefits of T5HO. And I'm not talking about a regular LED fixture, I'm talking about one that can grow plants or corals. Right now you're looking at a $1-2k investment for a 4ft fixture

 

[aclockworkorange]

Yup, and when LED fixtures are affordable to us peasants, then they will have ruined the benefits of T5HO. And I'm not talking about a regular LED fixture, I'm talking about one that can grow plants or corals. Right now you're looking at a $1-2k investment for a 4ft fixture

Yeah, even DIY LED fixtures are still insanely expensive. Hopefully that technology will lower in price soon... I'd love to run LEDs on all my tanks.