Power Compact Bulb Type

cool clown

cool clown

Member
I think I have finally made up my mind. I am going to run a 6x96 watt power compact on my 180 gallon. I want shrooms polyps and zoo's I have been told this will be enough light for this.My question is what bulbs should I run? 4x10k and 2 03 actinic or something different.
Another question, Is a 26w power compact big enough for a 20 gallon refugium or should I go with a 2x65 watt and once again, What types of bulbs? :confused: Thanks in advance for any help. This board is great. :D
 
dreeves

dreeves

Active Member
Personally...I would scrap the CF idea and go with VHO's...I did the CF routine and now am wishing I did the VHO's. I do not feel that the CF bulbs available are really what they are made out to be as for quality of light...I am right now in the middle of adding a VHO actinic to one of my tanks to augment the CF I have there. And depending on what it looks like and produces for growth...I will probably switch the entire scheme to VHO and put the CF's on my FO tank.
As for your refuge...a 32 watt CF should work ok there.
 
cool clown

cool clown

Member
I can get the power compact in a hood for 450 delivered with bulbs. Yes I made sure that they are real actinic bulbs and not just blue bulbs. The other option is a 3x250 metal halide with 4x65 power compact bulbs. this is 200 dollars more heat is not a issue because I dont have a conapy, I just have a frame that covers the sides (hard to explain see pic) The second would use a lot more power. What do you guys think? Help :confused:
 
wintrmte

wintrmte

Member

Originally posted by Kipass4130
i would go VHO too
i have compacts on one of my tanks and probably would never buy them again
if you do get compacts... be sure to get true actinic 03 bulbs... everything else is just a blue bulb... the true 03s will be purpler... see pic... the bulb to the left is a fake actinic... the two to the right that arepurple are real actinics... the blue ones are worthless

I'm curious, why 03 lighting? I've got the Blue and Daylight currently, and my LFS said that JBJ was phasing out the Blue with the O3 lights..
 
007

007

Active Member
Hands down, go with metal halide lamps. I promise you that in a years time, the set up will pay for itself. The shear fact that the bulbs when properly set up and installed last for a year where as flourescents, VHO or PC need to be replaced between 6 and 8 months tops.
Furthermore, if you are the least bit mechanically inclined, which judging by the homemade stand you are, you can build a fantastic metal halide set up for less than what you posted previously.
No questions about it . . . go with metal halide. You will be glad you did in the long run. And if not, the set up is very marketable for private re-sale.
 
cool clown

cool clown

Member
Originally posted by 007
Furthermore, if you are the least bit mechanically inclined, which judging by the homemade stand you are,
Thanks I will take that as a complament. Where do you recomend I get parts and what all do I need please Email me with a list If you have time. Thanks I think I will go halide. chrisd@infowest.com
Click to expand...
 
1journeyman

1journeyman

Active Member
Question:
Even if he goes with Halides, won't he still need an alternate lighting source for dawn and dusk? I was thinking that running the halides for 8 or 9 hours a day would be too much.
 
007

007

Active Member
Cool Clown,
Well there are a list of rather essential components that are required, but there are some options within these components.
Essential:
Ballast, Socket, Reflector, and Bulb (duh?!)
Now for the options:
Ballast and bulb - 150w, 175w, 250w, or 400w.
Socket - HQI (double ended) or mogul based (single ended)
Bulb - 6500K, 10,000K, or 20,000K (temperature, or color)
A very common setup in sps dominated tanks is to use 400w 20,000K Radium brand bulbs. This is a very crisp white/slightly blue tint to it. The new XM bulbs apparently come very close to matching these.
Another option is to use a combination of flourescents and MH. Personally, this seems redundant to me with the advent of more efficient bulbs, but its really a matter of personal preference.
check out www.hellolights.com as a place to start, but this is by NO means the only place out there that sells lighting.
A very high quality ballast that has been reputable in the past is made by PFO. Generally nice stuff from them. Ushuio makes some decent bulbs and was one of the standards for a while, but there are many more eqiuvalent alternatives now a days.
 
007

007

Active Member
Very true, there are even more options than I listed above, but considering that this person is new to the world of aquaria lighting I thought that i would keep the options as mainstream as possible. But you are right though, there are 1000w bulbs, as well as bulbs that are 12,000K, and I believe I have also seen 15,000K.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top