Which light Unit to Buy?

[vijaym85]

I was considering removing my Metal halide for a bit less intense light. But I dont want to loose too much. I was considering either the 216w Current T5 or th 260W Current PC units. Which would you say will be brighter? Or would they be about the same?

Thanks a lot!

[pjf]

The T5 fixture will be brighter because the narrower diameter of the linear T5 blocks less light from the reflector and neighboring lamps than the twin-tube PC lamps. Even without a reflector, the T5 produces more lumens per watt than the PC:

• PC or pin-based high-wattage compact fluorescent lamps (HW-CFL) generate ~60 lumens per watt: http://lightingresearch.org/programs...L-efficacy.asp
• T5 lighting produces 90-100 lumens per watt: http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpi.../lat5/pc1a.asp

To maximize your light output, I recommend a T5 fixture with individual reflectors for each tube. I understand that individual reflectors can direct twice the light to an aquarium than the single “community” reflector.

[vijaym85]

thank you for the info Pjf