Originally Posted by Psychographic

I don't see any problem at all, I was given a free bulb when I set my halide up and was told it was a 14k, It wound up being a 10k and I replaced it with a 14k. The color difference between the two was dramatic, I then swapped out the 96w PC actinic for for two 36w T5 actinics and the colors are even better. I did however notice less growth with the 14k. If you really want more color, swap the 50/50's for straight actinics, or better yet, toss the PC's and go for T5's.

Using just one of the 36w T5's out performed the one 96w PC with WAY less heat. The bulb replacement for my T5 is about a third of the PC also. This is an oddbal T5 setup though, I think if it was a normal 39w T5 the bulb replacement would be about the same.

I have only had the T5 for a few months and have not noticed this, but the PC's would lose a lot of output over the 6 month suggested lifespan. Time will tell if the T5's will do the same.

Wobbegong seems to be the resident expert on T5's, although I think he is a wee bit to biased on their use, he would be the man to ask about them if you decide to switch out the PC's