T5 light question

[Nabob89]

I need nice lights to make my 55-gallon tank into a reef, but I can't decide on which ones to buy. I was looking at 260W PC lights, but I found a 216W T5 light for only $15 more. Which one should I buy? Does T5 look nicer than PC? Can I keep more types of corals under T5 than PC (such as a clam or a few SPS)? Which one should I get? Thanks!
-Matt

T5 light (third one down): http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...&N=2004+113030

PC light (last one down): http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro...aqualight.html

[Julio]

T5s, they will give you better coloration on yoru corals.

[Nabob89]

ya I want nice colors so I'd better go with the T5's....but has anyone kept SPS or a clam under T5's (mine would only be 216W).

[kreef]

You could keep sps and clams with 216w of t5, as long as your tank is not too wide or deep.

[scottd34]

i agree, under T-5's my corals really colored up whereas before when they were under the same wattage PC's they were brown.

[gregrex]

The advantage of the T5 lights is that their size allows use of individual parabolic reflectors. Most of the increased light intensity comes from that rather than a brighter bulb. I think the fixture you are considering doesn't have the individual reflectors, so...

[scottd34]

ya, i use the sunlight supply tek light based on the recommendations of the monster thread in the newcomers section here on rc and it is great. It is amazing how much the reflectors make a difference in light intensity. I also compared both lights side by side (96 w 20" PC and the 24" 96w tek light) and the tek light looked so much crisper and the pc looked really dim. You would definately be happy going with the tek lights, even though they are a bit pricier they are worth every penny.

[Qwiv]

Buy an IceCap 660 and some end caps, standoffs/reflectors and bulbs and make one yourself. The electrical is really easy.

[kjbudsberg]

Go with the 4X48" Teklight. You won't be sorry.