After looking at new fixtures and used ones for an upcoming tank, I got to thinking why do they even bother making PC anymore? I don't know a single person that likes them or even pushes them on you. The fixtures cost around the same for a T5 the bulbs are expensive as well for what they are and what they are capable of. You can't grow SPS really, I have heard of people doing it but never saw it done. The bulb choices are limited, it's either actinic,10k or 6500k. I have never seen any others. Why even bother producing them anymore, If companies produced only T5 fixtues the price would come down as well.
PC why even bother anymore???
- Thread starter jaa1456
- Start date
ryangrieder
Advanced Reefer
- Location
- Northern Jersey
I hate pc...
1. No good brand selection
2. Color choice sucks
3. White is always too overpowering
4. Run hotter and more expensive then t5
5. Can't do sps
6. In general, they just look like crap on the tank for color
7. They look like bent light sabers
1. No good brand selection
2. Color choice sucks
3. White is always too overpowering
4. Run hotter and more expensive then t5
5. Can't do sps
6. In general, they just look like crap on the tank for color
7. They look like bent light sabers
- Location
- Franklin Lakes, NJ
I've seen SPS grown under PC lights, as well as clams. They have to be pretty close to the top, but it can be done.
I love PC lights for phyto culturing. The 6500k bulbs get me a denser culture than any other light I've used, but with the price of T5s, I can't imagine using them on a tank anymore.
I love PC lights for phyto culturing. The 6500k bulbs get me a denser culture than any other light I've used, but with the price of T5s, I can't imagine using them on a tank anymore.
I've heard of people doing it, but I also hear many SPS will not grow under them. But my main point is why buy a PC fixture that is limited and the bulbs are recommended for a change every 6 months. When for the same money you can go with a better fixture, And also what if you have a deeper tank?
Don't get me wrong. I agree with you but people with PC's still need to replace their bulbs.
I have not noticed a stand alone PC fixture for sale at a LFS for a while now.
And yes. My SPS were fairly easy ones to take care of.
ryangrieder
Advanced Reefer
- Location
- Northern Jersey
Power compacts are one of those things where they WERE really cool at the time, and is now completely over. non experienced lfs and reefers are the only who use them. And your right, Without forums, most people would just listen to lfs and get power compact. Hell, that also pertains to canister filters with lfs trying to get them to buy
- Location
- Staten Island
They are going to stop making pc bulbs if they haven't already. 40-45 bucks for a 65 watt is insane. I used a dual pc when I 1st started reef in a 15 gallon it worked well I had all types of lps and zoos I'm not a big sps guy to begin with so it didn't matter that you cant really grow them.
- Location
- Highland lakes, Nj
I had a pc structure on my 150 gallon i bought it cause it was way way cheaper then the t-5's, after having it what a waist of money, good thing if was a fish only system.
- Location
- Wallingford, CT
They will still make PC bulbs and fixtures for nano AIO tanks because they are compact in length. The shortest T5 bulbs are still at least 18" and freshwater keepers still find these fixtures fine for small 5-10g tanks.
- Location
- Long Island
Although i did switch from the 48" PC to 2-36" T5-HO, i had it on my 125 for about 2 months and it grew SPS and the clams. Like everyone said they were closer to the top but i had no problems with it. It grew everything. I ended up selling it to my brother for his 48" wide 75 gallon and i wanted a full 72" light setup. The T5's are brighter and has allowed to place the SPS a little lower in the tank but then again it was also 300$ more and extra bulbs and wattage. I do understand what you're saying, but for people who have the long tanks and need a lot of light and just want to do LPS or softies, a cheaper PC will have no problems. I went from 4-65W PC to 8-39W T5 HO.
- Location
- NY
As stated by chief, fuges and fish only. Freshwater & AIO.
What about, planted tanks, hydroponics and reptiles.
There are other uses that we as reefkeepers aren't even aware of.
Russ
What about, planted tanks, hydroponics and reptiles.
There are other uses that we as reefkeepers aren't even aware of.
Russ
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