Good, bad, and ugly brands for PC?

six.line · 04/14/2007, 11:32 AM

I have a 29 gallon with two 55W PC lights over it now, and I'd like to double up on that or possibly sell it for a separate, ready made 4 bulb fixture.

Are there any brands of bulbs or complete hood kits to avoid out there?

Input and experience is very much appreciated.

bigdaddyTank · 04/14/2007, 11:48 AM

I have run PC's from ahsupply.com on my freshwater plant tanks and they are some really great retrofits and also carry bulbs but I didnt get my bulbs from them, I use GE 9325K bulbs and ah doesnt carry them.

Bri Guy · 04/14/2007, 06:00 PM

The coralife bulbs are good, but the price isn't. So far thats all ive used.

Ive read not to buy the dirt cheap bulbs, they burn out easily, but some of the mid priced ones are fair. I don't know any specific brands though.

MercZ · 04/14/2007, 06:20 PM

I just switched to Hamilton PC's. Very happy. Right now I have a hamilton 50/50 10K/Actinic 03 with a Current 50/50 Actinic 420/460 dual. It looks like a 20K halide setup. I am going to switch my Current 50/50 dual actinic with a Hamilton 50/50 10k/7100K Blue + and I should get a nice 14k look. The Hamilton bulbs are insanely brighter than coralife and Current. I dont know how good hello lights are but I am seriously impressed with the hamiltons.

dc_909 · 04/14/2007, 07:06 PM

Why not just upgrade to T5s?

peanut95 · 04/14/2007, 07:13 PM

I use 4 130watt current p.c.s and love them

MercZ · 04/14/2007, 07:15 PM

I am going to use T5's for my big reef I am building. I dont want to spend the money for a T5's on my little reef when the PC's do just fine and my corals are doing great. I am just really impressed with the hamilton PC's.

BlakDuc · 04/14/2007, 07:27 PM

Where are you getting your Hamilton bulbs? I am pretty disappointed in the Coralife bulbs. Are you growing any SPS under that setup? Reason I ask is because I have a 30g with a 2x96 watt pc and want to try some SPS soon before I upgrade to halides.

MercZ · 04/14/2007, 07:47 PM

I got mine from a friend who owns a LFS and they turned me to them. I dont have any SPS yet just LPS. But, my friend has a 65 gal oceanic with your light setup and has SPS doing very well. I can only imagine how much brighter my tank will get once I change the old Current 50/50 dual Actinic for a new Ham 50/50 10K/7100K blue + because the old bulb is very close to its end and has lost noticable brightness. You can easily order from Hamilton technology on there website. They have good prices for bulbs.

04/14/2007, 11:32 AM	#1
six.line Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Logan, UT Posts: 775	Good, bad, and ugly brands for PC? I have a 29 gallon with two 55W PC lights over it now, and I'd like to double up on that or possibly sell it for a separate, ready made 4 bulb fixture. Are there any brands of bulbs or complete hood kits to avoid out there? Input and experience is very much appreciated. __________________ This post approved by Mrs. Sixline. assign <= six.line(#FFFFFF && string("nerdy")) Current Tank Info: 30 gallon with 10 gallon sump

04/14/2007, 06:00 PM	#3
Bri Guy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin Posts: 2,995	The coralife bulbs are good, but the price isn't. So far thats all ive used. Ive read not to buy the dirt cheap bulbs, they burn out easily, but some of the mid priced ones are fair. I don't know any specific brands though. __________________ For my birthday i got a humidifier and a de-humidifier... I put them in the same room and let them fight it out. (Steven Wright) Current Tank Info: 40BR w/ 250w 14K Phoenix + 192w PC, 10g fuge w/ 55w PC, 10g sump, Eheim 1250 return w/ SCWD, ASM Mini G skimmer, Gravity fed ATO, Kalk doser, 1/10 HP chiller, 1 Vortec + 3MJs, all on an AC Jr. - Born on date 8-06 Pics in gallery! + 55g FOWLR w/ macro

04/14/2007, 07:27 PM	#8
BlakDuc Fragger Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Waldorf, MD Posts: 4,518	Where are you getting your Hamilton bulbs? I am pretty disappointed in the Coralife bulbs. Are you growing any SPS under that setup? Reason I ask is because I have a 30g with a 2x96 watt pc and want to try some SPS soon before I upgrade to halides. __________________ Joe Cude Current Tank Info: IM Fusion 40

04/14/2007, 11:48 AM	#2
bigdaddyTank Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Shawnee, Ks Posts: 40	I have run PC's from ahsupply.com on my freshwater plant tanks and they are some really great retrofits and also carry bulbs but I didnt get my bulbs from them, I use GE 9325K bulbs and ah doesnt carry them.

04/14/2007, 06:20 PM	#4
MercZ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: California Posts: 117	I just switched to Hamilton PC's. Very happy. Right now I have a hamilton 50/50 10K/Actinic 03 with a Current 50/50 Actinic 420/460 dual. It looks like a 20K halide setup. I am going to switch my Current 50/50 dual actinic with a Hamilton 50/50 10k/7100K Blue + and I should get a nice 14k look. The Hamilton bulbs are insanely brighter than coralife and Current. I dont know how good hello lights are but I am seriously impressed with the hamiltons.

04/14/2007, 07:06 PM	#5
dc_909 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 3,260	Why not just upgrade to T5s?

04/14/2007, 07:13 PM	#6
peanut95 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 150	I use 4 130watt current p.c.s and love them

04/14/2007, 07:15 PM	#7
MercZ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: California Posts: 117	I am going to use T5's for my big reef I am building. I dont want to spend the money for a T5's on my little reef when the PC's do just fine and my corals are doing great. I am just really impressed with the hamilton PC's.

04/14/2007, 07:47 PM	#9
MercZ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: California Posts: 117	I got mine from a friend who owns a LFS and they turned me to them. I dont have any SPS yet just LPS. But, my friend has a 65 gal oceanic with your light setup and has SPS doing very well. I can only imagine how much brighter my tank will get once I change the old Current 50/50 dual Actinic for a new Ham 50/50 10K/7100K blue + because the old bulb is very close to its end and has lost noticable brightness. You can easily order from Hamilton technology on there website. They have good prices for bulbs.