[tad2q]

i know you guys have been asked this a lot and i am not totally dumb when it comes to this, but what is the MAIN difference between T5 and PC....... i am avoiding MH because of monetary reasons.... thanks in advance

[NATIVEVAMAN]

T5 has longer bulb life.Less heat.more lamp optons.Higher overall efficiency.Better reflectors available.

[tad2q]

ok.... is there any coral that you can not do with t5? or pc?

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by tad2q

ok.... is there any coral that you can not do with t5? or pc?

I would say high in the tank T5HO can keep anything. Mid tank T5HO most things. Bottom of tank a lot of things but not things like high light demanding clams and SPS.

PCs? Lot less than the T5HOs. Will work primarily for a softie tank and some LPS.

How am I doing here Nativevaman?

[NATIVEVAMAN]

With the right wattage and bulb selection you can grow anything you want.I would say that you need to go with t-5 vho to get that kind of wattage easily.a 4 lamp x 48 inch x 85 watt should give you all you need and some at 340 watts or 4.5 watts per gallon. Or tek lite make a 6 bulb t-5 ho unit that produces 324 watts for 4.32 watts per gallon.
https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/...hp?cPath=55_82. The tek lite unit comes with single lamp reflectors.The t-5 vho unit only comes in a retro kit with single lamp reflectors.
T5HO Retro Kits - DIYReef
Compact fluorescents seem to be going the way of the wash board and carburator.Since several countries and california are either discouraging the use of incandescent bulbs or outlawing them completely cf manufacturers are busy trying to keep up with a windfall of home use bulb sales.

[tad2q]

well that sucks..... i was am getting a tank with PC already on it..... maybe i will get a dual t5 stip with the pc????? or is that dumb?

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I like the t5 lite strips.My sweetie has them on her gold fish tank.Get my drift here?lol.Tell me about the tank you are getting.Especially the lights.Does it have a canopy?How deep is it.Are the lights in a fixture?Where is it comming from?