Converting PC bulbs to T5 bulbs - is it possible??

g8rorchid · Mar 30, 2016

I have a Coralife fixture (Aqualight pro) which consists of 2 150W DE MH bulbs and 2 96W PC bulbs. From what I've gathered (correct me if I'm wrong), actinic/blue T5s will give a more vibrant/deep blue color than PCs. Would they be similar to the color/pop you get from blue LEDs? Sooo would it be possible to somehow change out the PC for T5s in this fixture?? If so, would it be complicated? I should mention that I am a woman and not well versed in the world of DIY or electrical work (I hope I didn't set back women by 50 years with that).

Thanks in advance!

Pete polyp · Mar 30, 2016

It would require wiring new ballasts and new end caps.

Techie_ · Mar 30, 2016

You may be able to find a retrofit kit.

bobman · Mar 30, 2016

Yes as pete already stated you would need ned end caps and a ballast not to mention bulbs. It is also my opinion LED will give a deeper blue than most t5. Maybe not all t5 but most I have seen after you figure costs of bulbs end caps and ballast. You are in the ball park of just getting some leds strips like sb reef has that imo may work better. The down side to LED is you are limited to only that color where t5 you can change out a bulb to get what ever color you want.

g8rorchid · Mar 30, 2016

If I go the T5 route I was thinking of the E5 bulbs as they say they are good for 8 years. I am just looking for that extra blue "pop".
SB reef?
Yeah, I am also toying with the idea of getting led strips and velcroing them over the splash guard that covers the PCs and just turning the PCs off. The options I've come across are Ecoxotic stunners, ecoxotic panoramas, or Reef Brite lumi lites. Any thoughts on any of these?

bobman · Mar 30, 2016

I was thinking reef brites thats have the strips not sb reef sorry for the confusion there. I will caution you on Velcro as it seems like a great idea hanging over the reef and combined with the heat of your mh the glue hold the Velcro to the fixture will eventually break down over time and one day you will come home to you LEDs in the tank. Your better option would be to remove the pc lights and velcro the LEDs inside there that way if and when the glue on the velcro does break down the splash guard will catch them.. Or you can always drill small hole through the fixture and with a little screw and nut just bolt them on. Then there is nothing to worry about.

I have never heard of e5 bulbs so I can comment on them but I have also never heard of a t5 lasting 8 years.