pc or t5

[hud3339]

I have a 55 gallon and i am making a reef tank. I only plan on doing softies no lps or sps. Would pc work or would i need to get t5 on there. Depending on what yall say if anyone has a 48" pc or t5 fixture let me know

 

[hud3339]

Or could i just use 50/50 bulbs

 

[budsreef]

If you already had a PC I would say use it, but if you have to buy something anyway, get T5.

 

[hud3339]

No i only have florence bulbs right now what about me switching to 50/50 bulbs,

 

[jeffh]

The bulb replacement cost for PC's are MUCH more expensive then T5's. With the fixtures being about the same cost...I'd choose T5's. If you are only doing softies, I would still use T5's but you'll be able to use a fixture that doesn't have many bulbs. For a 55 gallon, you might even be able to get away with just 2 bulbs depending on the fixture (individual reflectors and active cooling increase their output). With four bulbs over a 55, you should be able to keep LPS and SPS if you someday decide you want to.

 

[jeffh]

50/50 describes the color spectrum that is being output by the bulbs, not the intensity. For corals, you need the intensity and correct spectrum. It's been a long time since I did just softies...so I'm not positive on just how little light they will grow under.

 

[bdesper311]

go ahead and get the T5's, you will eventually want to buy it anyways.

 

[hud3339]

Ok thanks 4 the help

 

[gnashty]

T5 for sure....you say softies only right now but once you see that nice peice of coral that you MUST have and it needs more light than you can provide.....its all like...BUMMER!!

 

[courterbobby]

I have to agree with the t5 people. You will want to eventually get those nice pretty corals and they will need the extra lighting. I don't have experience with them as I have medal halide fixtures.

 

[jase75]

I'm saving up for a good t5 fixture. Individual reflectors make them very efficient and with a 4 or 6 bulb setup, you can play with the many various bulbs on the market to get the look you want.

 

[xzypholo]

T5 all the way!