Pc lit reef

I've recently changed out my oydessa t5 and pc bulbs to UVLs and man what a difference.. I only have about 18" from light to bottom of tank in my 55 gal.. but everything is happy.. UVL 65w PC 14k bulbs with "internal reflectors" kick some butt.. definitly a good quality bulb to use.

the internal reflectors do make a big difference with power compacts.. gets more light down in the tank..

 

My 130watt pc system on my 50gal reef takes good care of my sps...I have had the elk horn for about 8 months and it grows well. I am sure if it was under stronger lighting it would grow faster. i think that lighting for coral is all relative to where you place the coral and how often/well you feed them.

 

elk horn is a lower light sps, yes some will do fine high up but most will not in that system.

 

I went to a LFS in Pitt with a friend and we decided for 10 bucks we should both try a frag. Each frag was about 3 inches long. Don't you love generous aquaculturists. We stock up on all sorts of frags when we go. Got two clams for $40 one time. Anyway, you are right, most sps won't survive, but lighting is not the only factor in caring for corals.

BTW, for those that are on the chalice hunt, they do best under PCs...

 

If you've never had a par meter inside your tank and under your lighting you will be in for a surprise as to what really happens to the light levels in your tank. Moving the meter an inch or two down from MH can cause a drop of 300-400 in par. What you think you see as light doesn't match what's really happening in there.

 

Coral on PC and after metal halides



PC lights do not provide proper lighting for a marine or reef tank.

 

i would never use them for a reef but that statement about not being 100% proper is not truly correct lol sorry had to even thou i know i have said its not good enough for high level sps thats true buttt...

September nTOTM- ReeferChick85's 24G CandyLand - Reef Central Online Community

 

i think the only reason ppl complain about pc's is they can't have individually contoured reflectors, i guess unless it's built into the bulb, then they are EXACTLY the same as t5's.

but what does it matter when metal halide makes them both look silly?