T5 or Power Compact

[darklcd]

Hey all

I am looking at lighting for my new tank and I know that I want to go wtih Metal halide but all of the fixtures I am looking at have either t5s or power compacts to go with them and I am wondering what the difference is and what is the better light to go. I have had t5s in the past but I don't know anything about power comact.

Can anyone help me here lol

 

[spllbnd2]

I would recommend the MH/T5HO route versus MH/PC. T5HO are more efficent than PC bulbs (IMO).

Cheers,
Alex

 

[Sculpin]

Agreed. T5 is the way to go.

 

[returnofsid]

PC lighting is becoming obsolete. Bulbs will be difficult to find, in the near future.

 

[chelseagrin]

at one point t5 and pc were comparable, but the t5 fixtures have gotten so much more efficient and bright that no one uses pc's anymore. the only really efficient pc lights are the ones with the reflectors built into the bulbs. but still not comparable to t5's.