PC -or- halides (if same wattage)

cornetet · 06-12-2006, 12:57 PM

Is there any "CORAL GROWING ADVANTAGE" between PowerCompacts and Metal Halides !IF! the wattage is the same? .....like 150 watts of PC light -vs- 150 watts of MH light?

Twitterbait · 06-12-2006, 01:31 PM

MH is always better. the bulbs last longer and the light will have more intensity over the depth of the tank.

ScruffyRubicon · 06-12-2006, 01:39 PM

Just fired up my new 250w MH yesterday for the first time. Switched from PCs. WOW what a difference. Should have started there in the first place.

kevinnq · 06-12-2006, 02:48 PM

dont waste your money on PC. MH is more intense and you can grow more types of corals (SPS) as well as clams later on if you decided to do so. When i first started t his hobby, my LFS told me PC is good and all that, but later on told me to get MH for SPS and clams!.. wished they told me earlier so that i did not have to waste my money on PC.

piberoptikz · 06-12-2006, 02:54 PM

MH rocks!

\m/

110galreef · 06-12-2006, 03:14 PM

MH is a huge improvement over PC.

zxcv123 · 06-12-2006, 05:34 PM

I Believe Metal halide has more of a fuller spectrum of light, closer to that of the sun. Although not Imposible, I wouldnt do sps with out mh. My uncle has a 400 Gallon reef system and he uses PC's I Believe Mega Watts of them though. Hes got sps up the whazoo and theyre growing and color is exploding like crazy!

xaoss23 · 06-12-2006, 07:41 PM

You will definately see a difference with MHs. You options are greater, higher growth rate, better color, better penetration, higher PAR, "shimmer effect" etc etc. If youre budget allows for MHs, go that route.

(btw, also keep in mind the heat factor that is included with the halides)

xaoss23 · 06-12-2006, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zxcv123

I Believe Metal halide has more of a fuller spectrum of light, closer to that of the sun.

btw, John... not to get off topic here but the spectrum of light strictly has to do with the color temperature of the bulb... not the "type" of bulb. Just a friendly FYI

(ie, sunlight is roughly 6500K)

zxcv123 · 06-12-2006, 08:59 PM

thats ok... I dont know diddily squat about lighting. Srry for any misleadings, I heard something about that somewhhere and didnt quite remember it. I think it was about vitamin D or something... IDK anyway sry

wharyat · 06-12-2006, 09:28 PM

Definately MH.

wharyat · 06-12-2006, 09:29 PM

T5's are also good. Both will put out more lumens per watt than a PC.

110galreef · 06-12-2006, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xaoss23

btw, John... not to get off topic here but the spectrum of light strictly has to do with the color temperature of the bulb...

(ie, sunlight is roughly 6500K)

Yes and no

....as many of the same K ratings of different mfgs. will have different spectoral plots......the K rating is more of a marketing thing. One really needs to see where the spikes are on the spectoral plot to really figure out the color spectrum. Some one has the PAR ratings of various mfg and colorings...I have the links at work.....so for now here is a generalization!

In general assuming same wattage between bulbs

6500K is very yellow and has the greatest PAR and greatest growth for corals.....
10K is usually crisp white...with good PAR and good growth However, some are on the yellow side while some on the bluer side. Hamilton more yellowish/white while Coralvue is a rather bluish 10K bulb
12K,14K &15K typically bluish white light w/ decent growth
20k rather bluish w/ least PAR usally and slow growth unless going one step higher on wattage

It really is preference and growth desire and corals being kept.

Most do 10k w/ PC or VHO actinic supplementation for overall good growth and color!