Lighting

[cabo]

I have heard that pc lighting is no good and t5 are ok. I dont understand what the difference is if the watts are the same.

Also what minimum wattage would be needed for sps (without MH) assuming the the frags will be near the surface (a few inches below)

This would be for a 30 gallon frag tank..(should have said that first :wink: )

 

[Ashlar]

It's like fuel versus mileage.. a hummer and a VW both can use the same gallon of gas (watts that the ballast _uses_) but a VW can go further on that gallon of gas (light output).

 

[cabo]

@Ashlar wrote:

so the t5's get better mileage?

 

[Ashlar]

Yup.. they're better at converting input wattage to usable light.

 

[fperkins]

@cabo wrote:

Technically they are the same thing. Power compact bulbs are high output T5 bulbs bent in half.

As Ashlar said, the big advantage of a linear T5 HO bulb is the reduced heat and power consumption - which is a result of the thinner profile of the linear bulb. The thinner profile allows for the use of parabolic reflectors which increase the light in the aquarium and reduces the light reflecting back into the bulb. The reflected light increases the bulb's temp, which reduces efficiency, resulting in more power used.

The profile of a linear T5 HO bulb works better than a power comact bulb even if both are used with parabolic reflectors because the thinner bulb of the linear allows more of the light to shine into the aquarium and not back into itself (the "wider" PC bulb casts it's own shadow).