VHO and PC

spanish dancer

spanish dancer

Member
So... I have been wondering... What is the difference between PC (Power Compact) and VHO (Very High Output) flourescent lighting?:confused:
THANKS!:)
 
bdhough

bdhough

Active Member
The difference is basically size. You fit more output of light in a pc than in a similar watt vho. BUT vho's are longer and capable of covering longer tanks alot easier. It all just depends on the size of your tank to me.....
 
spanish dancer

spanish dancer

Member
I have a 65 gallon tank(48in.)
so should I get VHO or PC lighting? I'm guessing VHO,right?
And does one have more wattage than the other? thanks.
 
bdhough

bdhough

Active Member
Yeah go with vho tubes. I think the 48 inch variety are 110 watts or so. You will need to purchase a ballast to support them. I would get an ice cap. They ususlly allow you to run four bulbs. I would get two 5050's or one white one blue. It's imprtant to get actinic 03 blue and for white i personally like 10k's. If you wnt to keep good variety of corals go with 4 bulbs.....
 
aileena

aileena

Member
I have the same tank you do...you will need the 46.5" lights because the 48" bulbs will not fit under your canopy...
You can get a good icecap 660 ballast on ---- for pretty cheap with the wiring harness!!! as far as the endcaps and plastic mounting brakets you may have to go to your LFS...
 
michaeltx

michaeltx

Moderator
the main difference in pc to VHO is ;-Þ
PC have more penitrateing power than VHO.
PC can fit into smaller areas
PC do not have the spectrum degrading of VHO
PC do not have a threshold for the spectrum.( meanin VHO the intensity changes through out the bulb its not as uniform as the PC)
VHO better color
VHO True atinic (PC has a true atinic but it is still a long way to being the same as VHO)
VHO better overall
VHO spectrum start to change around the 6 month mark.
VHO has a better tank coverage as for as the bulbe you dont need as many to fill the space over the tank.
there are more I just cant think of them right now LOL
Mike
 
reef fool

reef fool

Active Member
One other consideration is that PC 's run much hotter than VHO's in my experience.
My preference is an even mix of super actinic and white actinic(12K). If you want a little less blue, then go w/ aqua suns(10k) intead of white actinics.
I would definitely go with Ice Cap ballasts and URI bulbs. Ice Caps cost more, but give you a longer bulb life which will pay for the extra cost of the ballast over time.
 
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