Upgrading PCs

keyozoxmfc · 02-14-2007, 10:57 PM

hello all!

i currently have power compact lighting and iwas wondering why i would want to upgrade to VHOS or t5 HOs? or i just want to know what the advantages do. i noticed that a 36 in t5 only puts out like 39 watts? but is that somehow just as strong as a 36 96 watt pc? any help would be great! thanks!

***Rob*** · 02-15-2007, 02:23 PM

the VHOs and T5 are higher output.. they are goign to out out more light allowing you to keep a wider range of corals (simply put)

one note is on the wattage.. think it more as an input.. they use x Watts to power the bulbs.. using wattage to compare different types if lighting is as useless as using color shares to compare apples vs oranges... it means nothing (but when comparing two types of the same light its helpful to determine strength)

a 39w T5HO is going to output more usable light than a 96 Watt PC

keyozoxmfc · 02-15-2007, 08:10 PM

so if i were to get t5 HOs like..2 36 in 39 watters, that would be better than my 36in 96watt pcs??? wow i should upgrade...more lights ....less wattage?!?! OMG WTF! lol and then with the VHOs, are they any different or are the t5 hos the best?

thanks a lot rob

***Rob*** · 02-18-2007, 11:10 PM

yeah, right now T5HO are pretty good.. they get you alot of output for low wattage. they are a bit more expensive up front but are less on the monthly bill and more output

keyozoxmfc · 02-19-2007, 02:13 AM

wow i think i will try to upgrade soon then because i can def get my mom to let me get this!

would i need 4x39watts? because most fixtures come like that, or should i buy retros and for 2x39 or 3x39?

***Rob*** · 02-19-2007, 02:15 AM

well, this is one of those situations where get what you can afford...
if you can get the 4x29, then i say go for it..

less nee to upgrade in the future

keyozoxmfc · 02-19-2007, 02:17 AM

hahah im probably taking up all your TR time since i keep on reply to your posts lol!

but with the 4x39..is there something else i would be able to get that i normally could not? such as a clam? or would a clam live in 2x39?

keyozoxmfc · 02-24-2007, 10:42 PM

so if i were to take away my 192 watts of PC lighting and replace it with 78 watts of T5 HO lighting, would that be good enough for my corals? like is it less or more than the 192...its more right. this way i can upgrade now to the T5s and then later on i can add in a MH for even better lights

***Rob*** · 02-26-2007, 07:18 PM

thats 2 T5 bulbs, i would go 4 bulbs and call it a day..

and if you go to 6 or 8 you really dont even need to upgrade to MH..

keyozoxmfc · 02-26-2007, 10:04 PM

ohh so then 6 would be good enough for some easier sps and maybe some clams? youre a great help rob!

***Rob*** · 02-27-2007, 01:22 PM

for most stony coral yes, 6 T5's should be fine
should be fine for clams too, but i cant say for sure.

my guess is that 8 would cover you for everything.

keyozoxmfc · 02-27-2007, 04:42 PM

haha but i cant even fit 8. maybe for now i will got with two? and upgrade as i go or is two not good enough for my tank?