PC Light question

[kimura]

Hellolights has a sale on a 1x 96W CF/Power Compact 50/50 Quad Retrofit Kit -Square Pin. I have a 12 gal Bow front and I would like to have a few sps and clams. I would have about 8 watts per gallon. Is this enough?

 

Or would 2 x 55 watt CF one 10K and a Actinic 03 be better?

[Sahin]

I would go for the 2x55w 10K and Actinic.

I dont like the 50/50 and with this choice you get a bit more light. I think two specialised tubes may be better as they are performing a single job.

 

Worth thinking about though is, would replacement of two tubes be more expensive than replacing one?

If its not a significant differance, go for the 2x55w

 

Good luck.

[wulffenstein]

IMO. I am not a fan or sps or clams under PC's. I tried it and watched my wallet get flushed down the toilet after a month or so.

 

I have 110 w of PC on a 20 gal and it was not enough for a clam. I am considering and looking for the cash to go to MH. This is the only way I would do clams.

[reef93]

I don't think 2x55w will fit your tank. 96w Quad Retrofit Kit will be good choice if you want PC light. But with $50 extra you can setup 175MH. Here is the kits:

1.PFO 175MH ballast ~$80

2.6500k iwasksi bulb ~$50

3.mogul base, wiring, ~$20

 

HTH

[kimura]

Thanks guys,

 

Reef93, I think that MH would be my best bet. Attempting To keep SPS and Clams I would have to really invest in a MH setup.

 

As far as the Bulb is concerned I have a iwasksi 10k that I got used for about $20 (two months old and used 5 hrs per day) The Bulb has a normal sized socket. Is that a mogul base?

[reef93]

you welcome, I haven't heard anything about iwasksi 10k bulb(I thought 6500k only). anyway, it doesn't matter what base was. Since you have the bulb and the base all you need to do buy ballast and maybe reflector(cheap in DIY). Just make your normal base came with quick disconnect plug.

[NanoReefer53]

iwasaki 6500k don't come in 175w. lowest they have is 150w. IMO though, iwasaki are phreakin yellow so you'll need a ton of actinic to wash it out. Another option is to use a 150w 50,000k which is really around 15,000k, really nice color. If it's too blue for u, slap in the daylight bulb the eclipse came with. Another choice would be the 175w 10k or 12k.

 

Remeber though, lighting isn't everything when it comes to SPS and clams. Water quality takes a huge part in their well being.

[yrureefing]

I agree with nanoreefer53. Wulffenstein, I think it died for some other reason rather than the lighting. Did you feed it? There are parasitic snails and that clam disease that is going around. It could have been one of those.

[GobyMan]

I have had no problems so far keeping my various SPS in my 5 1/2 gallon with 2 x 55 PC's. Last week I swapped out my blue actinic for an 03 from Hellolights and it has made a HUGE difference even in the short time it has been on the tank. I also agree about water quality, especially the alk/calc/mag trio.

[anthony812]

i think the MH is the best way to go..but if you go with PCs..i really don't think 96W bulbs will fit in your tank..they are 29" long!! so i would go with 2 x 55W..i agree with nano on the MH choices...try the sumburst 12K its a really nice bulb with just a touch of blue..so you don't really need heavy actinic support..

[yrureefing]

Anthony, he is talking about the 50/50 quad retrofit from hellolights. Is it 17 inches long.

[reef93]

anthony812, hellolights.com selling quad-retrofit(18.5") which perfectly fit on 12gal tank. my point is similar amount of money you spend on light why not MH then. ppl, feeding and water quality is total differ issue/topic regarding to current thread.

[anthony812]

oh really? hahhaha..my bad..i didn't know...wow, i do learn somethign new everyday...hahhahaha

 

But true, if i was going to spend the money on PCs, i mind as well use it on MH system...you can find used 175W systems (PFO r Hamilton) for ~$100 including bulbs... i have a guy here that is selling a dual 175W with 2 Sunburst 12K along with 2x55W Actinic PC retrofit for $250 obo. (4 months old) and i am sure you can probably get it for $200...IMO..MH is well worth it!!