CF vs T5 Lighting

[Pure]

I am thinking about going over to T5s on my 29g SW tank. My question I guess would be how much brighter will 96W of T5s be vs 130W CFs?

 

[Lorna]

I have never run t5's but I believe that they are much better and pack more punch than cf.

 

[TRe]

T5's can compare to MH's ...CF not so much

 

[Cichlid-Man]

I hear T5s are like T8s or T12s just packed into a small space so they basically overdrive and produce lots of light. (Not sure overdrive is the correct word but oh well...). Especially if given individual reflectors.

 

[Pure]

Indeed. So 96Ws from T5s would put out more lumens than 130Ws from CF?

 

[TRe]

for sure... u already have the power compacts or thinking of getting them? and what t5's are u looking at?

 

[Fishmonger70]

I love my T5's. I just wish I have them on now during my cycle cause they really light up nice. I'd take them over CF's any day.

 

[Pure]

Thanks Tre, I already have the CFs and want a little more light without going to MHs. not really sure what one I am going to get. I don't want to spend more than 200 so that leaves me with a plethora of 96W fixtures to choose from. Suggestions? Doc Fos has the Nova extreme with lunar lights for 144 on sale ATM. Looking at this light tho I'm not very impressed with the reflectors or the lack there of I should say. Install new ones?

 

[Lotus]

I've always read that T5s with individual reflectors are much, much better. The Tek fixtures (by Sunlight supply) seem to be recommended highly. They do retrofit kits, if that's any help to you. Reefgeek.com has a selection of T5 setups with individual reflectors.

 

[TRe]

tek all the way if u could find them within yur budget! what size tank are we lighting again?

 

[Pure]

Holy crap those things are pricy..pfft at those prices you might as well go MH.

Just a 29 gal. Looking at my wallet, aka moth trap, I think I'm going to go for the Nova Extreme then upgrade the reflectors myself next month. Currently there are no corals in this tank. It's FOWL but I do want to start keeping more than zoas and mushrooms.