VHOs vs. Compact Fluorescent

[reef150]

Everyone, I am settling with Corals that require MODERATE lighting not SPS or that requires Intensive lighting.

If you had to choose between VHOs or Compact Fluorescent. Which way would you go?

I read a lot of books and articles, and it's pointing towards Compact Fluorescent. Being cheaper in energy usage is being one of them and it produces more energy.

Thanks for all of your help. My tank is here Thursday and I cant wait to get started!!!!

Please help me with deciding which lighting system is best for Moderate Corals..

Thanks!

[Doug1]

PC bulbs 96 watt ar 3 feet , thats the largest. Compare to VHO in longer sizes, check out a few vendors and compare replacement cost per bulb
PC is hard to beat on small tanks but at 4' its about the same but longer tanks VHO is the winner I believe.
And there not a big difference in 96watt PC and 110watt VHO in output

[reef150]

also I was looking at this, I'm not sure if it was any good. Post links of you have any. I think MH is too expensive in the electric bills and bulb replacements etc., especially for moderate lighting needs.

http://store.yahoo.com/lamps-now/4lamvhoretki2.html

verses

http://store.yahoo.com/lamps-now/4652x96wretk.html

[reef150]

thx doug1 for your advice, but hellolights have em in 46.5", thats what i was looking at...any suggetsions? I thought CP would be better....

[wanareef]

I'd go for the VHO's. Less $$ for replacement. JMO

[yardboy]

I agree with Doug about PC versus tank size. While VHO are cheaper to replace you have to replace them more often, so probably not so much cheaper. I've used a lot of PC's but there are variations in intensity and most important I think is that VHO actinics have more fluorescing properties than PC. There's hardly any comparison, not sure why?

[FishDaddy]

My personal preference is for VHO's for general reef use, though I have both on different tanks. 46.5" VHO on the 55 reef and a 96w Smartlamp on the 38, which just has mushrooms with the Chainlink moray. I've found bulb life to be comparable, though the PC might have a slight edge on longevity. Either will work just fine for your intended use.

The 110w VHO is about half the price of a 96w PC and VHO's have a much wider range of spectrum and color choices available.

While I needed the 46.5" tubes to fit my retro'd double light strip, I would go for the 48" if you can fit them in your hood. The 48's are available from more sources and in a pinch, you can use standard fluorescents.

I've seen some pretty awesome tanks with just VHO, even for hard corals, as long as you have enough of them. GregT's old tank used VHO and kept just about anything he wanted.

Dick

[binylee]

Just a dump question:
How do I know when I should replace my VHO bulbs. Because I bought mine used and I forgot to ask the usage on it.

Thanks