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I need some help choosing a light...my problem is that I have a 44 gallon pentagon and the biggest i can go is 24 inches...I'm really interested in the t-5's but i don't even know where to get started...I thought you where suppose to have about 5 watts per gallon but the t-5's have a lower wattage than pc's...any advice would be helpful, as of now i have a galaxy, 2 open brains and some zoos with a 20 inch corallife pc from my old tank...I ruled out halides and i definitly wouldn't be able to build it myself also i have about 250 to spend

You can't compare wattage from T5 to PC because it doesn't work. T5 are much more effective in lighting then PC so you can't compare watts for watts. The 5 watts per gallon is sort of basic rule but you really need to go by what your going to stock in the tank and how deep your tank is.

I know you ruled out MH but I would re-think that. I'm a MH die hard and thinking of converting my 20gal Nano tank from PC to MH by using the JBJ fixture. See the JBJ fixture here. I still need to reseach the fixture before dumping the money into it but it would look really cool on the 20gal.

Hope this helps.

oh, and welcome to ReefForum.com

thanks for the reply...I found a 24in 250w hqi with 2 65 watt compact florescents you think this would be to much?

whiskeybill8:

thanks for the reply...I found a 24in 250w hqi with 2 65 watt compact florescents you think this would be to much?

That light would be good just make shore you have a $1,500 chiller on the tank!

ragvette:

You can't compare wattage from T5 to PC because it doesn't work. T5 are much more effective in lighting then PC so you can't compare watts for watts. The 5 watts per gallon is sort of basic rule but you really need to go by what your going to stock in the tank and how deep your tank is.

I know you ruled out MH but I would re-think that. I'm a MH die hard and thinking of converting my 20gal Nano tank from PC to MH by using the JBJ fixture. See the JBJ fixture here. I still need to reseach the fixture before dumping the money into it but it would look really cool on the 20gal.

Hope this helps.

A t5 is nicer then a pc ONLY if the bulbs have ther Owen reflector. Other wise pc` s are better. I have a 44 gal. pent. . I put down some base rock, then a big branch of elk horn, than a flat rock, to bring the corals up to the light. looks sweet!   P. s.  I have evrey thing in this tank but sps.. two 65 watt pc and two 20 watt no`s are all that is on the tank.