[scotty703]

What is the pro and cons to PC over VHO lighting? Which one would you recommend?

Just starting a 55Gal. Saltwater.
Live sand is the only thing in it.
Looking to put in live rock and easy corals for now.
Rena Filstar canister filter PX2.
Going to order Skimmer. Haven't decided which one to buy.

 

[usmc121581]

I would say VHO. I have never dealt with VHO's but have heard they are better then PC's. I recently got 2-250 MH's with my 4-65 watts power compact. I would recommend MH's if you can afford them.

 

[trreherd]

If i were gunna do a vho i would choose this http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_lighting_fluorescent_icecap_retrofit.asp?CartId= Im not sure what size you need but they have a lot of power.
If you could get mh(short for metal halide), maybe a mh retro(kit) off someone.(try ebay) Than you should do that. Only because mh looks a lot better, cause it makes the tank bottom twinkle.
I do not recemend CURRENT.
Rite now i have a current and im not impressed with the fixture or the company for that matter. If i ever get a larger tank i will not buy a current i will prolly only buy the best(ice cap)
Maybe for your tank you could do a 150,170, or 250 mh retro and two icecap vho actanics.

 

[usmc121581]

I do not recemend CURRENT.
Rite now i have a current and im not impressed with the fixture or the company for that matter. If i ever get a larger tank i will not buy a current i will prolly only buy the best(ice cap)

Whats wrong with current I've used they PC since I have had a saltwater tank. I am currently using my current fixture (its gutted so that I was able to add my MH and a built hood) But I have never had a problem with there fixtures. I bought my Metal Halide 2-250w Retro kit for $250 it ened up costing about $295 total. Which I thought was a killer deal.

 

[caferacermike]

If you are going to run flouro lighting I would recommend T5. If you decide to run T5 please understand that it only benefits if each bulb has it's own reflector. A well designed T5 setup can produce as much or more light in a shallow tank like yours than MH. I still prefer MH and will always recommend Mh with PC, T% or VHO actinic supplementation. If you really want to try something nice I'd recommend getting about 4 T5's that will fit the length of the tank in about 12-14K and 2 VHO 420NM super actinics.