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Power compact vs VHO


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  1. #1
    CR Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    N California
    Posts
    95

    Default Power compact vs VHO

    I was setting up a FOWLR 55 gal tank. I have gotten hooked on the interesting life on the live rock. I plan to stay away from sps and high light inverts. and plan to upgrade my lighting to PC 4 X 65 or a 3 or 4 tube VHO rig to supplement the 3 nova 28 watt t5's I have, any thoughts on VHO vs PC light would be appreciated. What mix of atinic to 10,000 k should i aim for? Cost and heat in my 55 gal tank are my hold backs on MH lights.

    Set up is 55 gal 48 X 13 X 20
    CPR back pack protien skimmer
    Fluval 404 running foam, carbon, and ceramic bio media 300 gph
    1 170 gph powerhead for circulation
    3" coral sand bed
    28 pounds of very nice porius live rock, plan to add some more as $$ permits I have a good LFS with great cured live rock have interesting zoanithids on rock. System is 3 weeks old with 5 damsels have never seen Amonia, or Nitrite, or Nitrate just changed 20 gal for safety.
    Any thoughts on my system are welcome. I am back to aquariums after a long break.

  2. #2
    davejnz - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Daytona Bch,FL
    Posts
    1,446

    Default

    VHO's or PC's.They both have there advantages.PC's housed in a parabolic reflector from
    http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm
    are brighter than VHO's and can penetrate the water column better.VHO's have probably the best true(420nm) actinic bulb,the URI super actinic.Here's a link for a VHO retro http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...it.asp?CartId=
    Both VHO's and PC's don't have a great bulb life,expect 9 months.The use of a fan in your canopy/hood will help you get the longest life out of your bulbs.Heat is probably the number one factor that shortens bulb life in flourescents.

  3. #3
    CR Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    N California
    Posts
    95

    Default Thanks

    I like the power compact kits at the url in your reply. The price is right and it will be a very good start for me.

    Stephen

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