Looking for 36" T5's online or in Calgary

[Moogled]

According to the Lighting Research Center:

How long do T5 lamps last before they burn out?
Lamp manufacturers claim that T5 and T5 high output (T5 HO) lamps last 20,000 hours (Philips Lighting 2001/2002; OSRAM SYLVANIA 2002; GE Lighting 2001/2002). This average rated lamp life is measured at temperatures between 15°C (59°F) and 50°C (122°F) when operated on electronic programmed start ballasts on a three-hour switching cycle—3 hours on and 20 minutes off—and designated as the number of hours after which 50% of the lamps fail. The 20,000-hour lamp life of T5 lamps is the same as the lamp life of most T8 lamps, although newly developed prolonged-life T8 lamps have lives of 4,000 or 10,000 hours longer than T5 lamps. Lamps operated on longer burning cycles will have longer life spans. Shorter burning cycles (frequent switching on and off) reduce lamp life. Use of ballasts that do not meet lamp requirements set forth by the lamp manufacturers may also result in reduced lamp life.

http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpi...s/lat5/pc8.asp

[Ruth]

Well, the lord hates a coward, as the saying goes, so I might as well wade in here just a little bit.
I think that Fishytime asks a very pertinent question of Josh - what is your intent as far as keeping coral? If you are going for an SPS dominated tank then you will probably have to look at the more expensive T5 lighting systems or........you can just skip that particular buy and go direct to Metal Halide lighting. There are often good quality used MH lights for sale on this and other boards and so very often I have seen people posting similar question to the one that Josh has posted about PC or VHO or various combo's thereof and then a few months later you see them with a post looking for a used MH light or posing a question on what kind of MH light to buy.
Just something else to consider Josh. Really think about where you want to take your tank down the road in a year or so and plan accordingly. Don't do like I (and a few others) have done and spend way more $ than you have to constantly upgrading one step at a time. It will really save you $ in the long run.