Lighting

[semperfires]

I am starting a 40 breeder plant tank and thought the light was gonna be the easy part. I was gonna go with a 36" power compact 96 wt 65k. Well after looking on ebay and the like I am thinking of going with a 78wt 65k T5 HO set up. The price is the main reason for possibly doing the T5 instead of PC, but I was just curious if anyone has any experience with both. I am very familiar with PC but what are pros and cons with T5's? Are they the same for the most part? The wattage difference isn't really a concern, I think either is plenty for a 40 breeder and for what I plan to do with it.

Just thought I would pick the brains of the masses before committing. Sometimes we just continue to use the same thing because we are comfortable with it and not look to new things.

I have to admit after proof reading I had to take out "HO" and put in "T5" in a few places lol. I knew someone would get me for it, so I did some damage control first lol.

:sick0006: Why I have I not seen this used before? No idea what it has to do with this post but I couldnt resist lol

 

[mdlnewman]

This is the company I got my light for my wife's planted failure, I mean tank.

http://www.ahsupply.com/index.html

Don't think it is the lights fault just we have no idea what we are doing with plants.

 

[Andrewtfw]

Benefits of t5ho compared to pc : lower wattage, runs cooler, many include led lunar lights, cost of replacement bulb. Cons of t5ho: no 8k bulb in the united states.

 

[semperfires]

Thanks guys, I am kinda leaning towards the T5. I dont really plan on doing any of the more demanding types of plants.

36" T5 HO Aquarium Light Strip Hood 78W Plant 6500K | eBay.
This is the light I was planning on picking up. Seems like a pretty good deal.

 

[Andrewtfw]

I see the fixture is made by odyssea. Aquatraders.com carries this brand. You may want to look at their site to see what else is available or if a lesser price is to be had.

 

[londonloco]

http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/store/index.php?cPath=71_74

I own several of these fixtures. Great co, great lights. Price includes bulbs. For a small fee, they will add anything you want to the fixture, I always have each bulb on it's own switch. Give them a call....

 

[Tony]

+1 to different bulbs being on different power cords. This really comes in handy for evening effect and/or the "blacklight look" of just the actinics on. Can also save you a bunch on power if get creative with timers.

 

[semperfires]

Aquatraders does have that same light fix for 5$ cheaper and still offer free shipping. 5 bucks is 5 bucks ....thanks

 

[ezrk]

http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/store/index.php?cPath=71_74

I own several of these fixtures. Great co, great lights. Price includes bulbs. For a small fee, they will add anything you want to the fixture, I always have each bulb on it's own switch. Give them a call....

We have a catalina fixture and think it is pretty good. They have an enormous number of variations.

 

[Avatar]

We have a catalina fixture and think it is pretty good. They have an enormous number of variations.

Made in California, USA. Makes buying lights on Ebay almost a fool's game.

 

[Hawkman2000]

While we are on the topic of lighting, I have Jack Dempseys, Convicts, Clown Loach, And Sajicas. I need to replace my bulb. One use one 36" T8 or T12. Any recommendations. By the way, currently using a powerglo - 18000k, fishy no like.

 

[londonloco]

We have a catalina fixture and think it is pretty good. They have an enormous number of variations.

Made in California, USA. Makes buying lights on Ebay almost a fool's game.

It's worth the extra $ to get a Catalina fixture. Some don't realize they include the bulbs. They will put in extra switches, moonlights, for a minimal fee. I can't stress enough how impressed I am with these fixtures.