Compact lighting

[jetjock]

Does anyone have any experience with compact lighting. My local store dealer who has always been very good on advise is trying to upgrade me to them. They supposedly are as good as twice the rated wattage.
Thanks

 

[dskidmore]

Maybe compared to incandecants, but not other very high output florecents. Most power compact fixtures do put out more light than the default hoods that come from the store. What size tank do you have, and what do you want to keep in it? Rule of thumb is 5 watts per gallon for soft coarals, up to 10 watts per gallon for hard corals, clams, and other light hogs.