Wattage For A Planted Aquarium

[Musho3210]

how come no ones mentioned t5, much better than PC's.

 

[SuperColey1]

how come no ones mentioned t5, much better than PC's.

LOL

I find this a very strange comment!! How can T5s be better than PCs when a PC is 2xT5s joined together?

A T5 is not as good as a PC but 2 T5s (If you can get them close enough together are equal)

The idea with the PC is it is shorter than the T5 and T8, only uses 1 end cap and as there are 2 bulbs within ½ cm of each other put out a huge amount of light from one position.

Andy

 

[Musho3210]

how come no ones mentioned t5, much better than PC's.

LOL

I find this a very strange comment!! How can T5s be better than PCs when a PC is 2xT5s joined together?

A T5 is not as good as a PC but 2 T5s (If you can get them close enough together are equal)

The idea with the PC is it is shorter than the T5 and T8, only uses 1 end cap and as there are 2 bulbs within ½ cm of each other put out a huge amount of light from one position.

Andy

Well nice of you to ask that, maybe check out this thread: http/www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...hreadid=1141564

Same size, different volts, different phosphures, different amount of heat. Plus the shape of the PC itself tells you you waste light in between the tubes.

Specifically read this:
quote:Originally posted by n00b mariner
T5 is the diameter of the bulb. Power compacts are the same size so therefore unless the shaping of the tube has drastic effects on the performance(i dont believe it does apart from the heat issue because the are closer together) then they are the same ^^



Nope. Completely 100% wrong.


T5 straight bulbs are designed to run at a different temperature than Pcs, different voltages, and use different phosphors. In short, the only thing they have in common is tube size.

One of the major differences is that T5s are designed to be most efficient at 95 degrees. PCs are designed to be most efficient at about 70 degrees. Has anyone ever seen a 70 degree light hood?