PC or CF

B192734 · 10/09/2007, 02:59 PM

Hey peeps...

I was just wondering if there was a difference between the Power Compact lights and the Compact Flourescents. I am going to be looking at either getting new bulbs for my 29g, and I couldn't find anything that was Power Compact. I was (mistakenly?) under the impression that they were different. Am I totally wrong? Is there something that's better (other than MH. I don't have the money right now) out there? I hear that the VHO's are not as good because you have to replace all the time. Is there any truth to that?

I've had my first reef tank up and running smoothly for the past year and a half, but definitely need to change my bulbs. Any info from people out there would be appreciated. Thanks.

Ebmorri · 10/09/2007, 03:05 PM

I believe that CF and PC are the same thing. The other lighing option out there right now are T5's.

Erick

B192734 · 10/09/2007, 03:21 PM

I also happen to be interested in indoor plants. I have a part of one of our bedrooms dedicated to houseplants, and I know that they sell MH lights for that purpose. It seems that they are way cheaper at gardening stores. Are there different kinds of MH bulbs, or are they about the same?

PSam · 10/09/2007, 03:34 PM

If i recall, the spectral irradiance for some horticultural HID's doesn't match that of bulbs for reef tanks, or spikes in wavelengths not as appropriate for coral. Not sure though. I wouldn't put my old horticultural bulbs over my tank, but I would certainly re-use the lumenarcs when I upgrade.

Steve973 · 10/09/2007, 08:45 PM

Heh, somebody is about to "grow their own".

chris1017 · 10/09/2007, 10:43 PM

pc and cf are the same

hexedagain · 10/09/2007, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steve973
Heh, somebody is about to "grow their own".

B192734 · 10/10/2007, 01:40 PM

What's the actual "target" spectrum for lights on a reef tank? There are so many different numbers out there that it's hard to get things straight right off the bat. Right now I have a CF that's 50/50.

Steve973 · 10/10/2007, 01:53 PM

The usual target in Kelvin (color temperature) is 10000 - 20000.

10/09/2007, 02:59 PM	#1
B192734 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 92	PC or CF Hey peeps... I was just wondering if there was a difference between the Power Compact lights and the Compact Flourescents. I am going to be looking at either getting new bulbs for my 29g, and I couldn't find anything that was Power Compact. I was (mistakenly?) under the impression that they were different. Am I totally wrong? Is there something that's better (other than MH. I don't have the money right now) out there? I hear that the VHO's are not as good because you have to replace all the time. Is there any truth to that? I've had my first reef tank up and running smoothly for the past year and a half, but definitely need to change my bulbs. Any info from people out there would be appreciated. Thanks.

10/09/2007, 03:34 PM	#4
PSam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 3,036	If i recall, the spectral irradiance for some horticultural HID's doesn't match that of bulbs for reef tanks, or spikes in wavelengths not as appropriate for coral. Not sure though. I wouldn't put my old horticultural bulbs over my tank, but I would certainly re-use the lumenarcs when I upgrade. __________________ ..no vemos las cosas como son las vemos como somos nosotros...

10/09/2007, 03:05 PM	#2
Ebmorri Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 662	I believe that CF and PC are the same thing. The other lighing option out there right now are T5's. Erick

10/09/2007, 03:21 PM	#3
B192734 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 92	I also happen to be interested in indoor plants. I have a part of one of our bedrooms dedicated to houseplants, and I know that they sell MH lights for that purpose. It seems that they are way cheaper at gardening stores. Are there different kinds of MH bulbs, or are they about the same?

10/09/2007, 08:45 PM	#5
Steve973 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 469	Heh, somebody is about to "grow their own".

10/09/2007, 10:43 PM	#6
chris1017 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 110	pc and cf are the same

10/10/2007, 01:40 PM	#8
B192734 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 92	What's the actual "target" spectrum for lights on a reef tank? There are so many different numbers out there that it's hard to get things straight right off the bat. Right now I have a CF that's 50/50.

10/10/2007, 01:53 PM	#9
Steve973 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 469	The usual target in Kelvin (color temperature) is 10000 - 20000.