Power compact bulbs Question

Anyone know which brand have good reviews... Been looking online and see alot of reviews but want 3reefs input. As the Orbit Fixture i just recently bought for my 20 Gallon Long is a couple years old i would like to make sure i have some back up bulbs if anything was to happen to these current bulbs.

I plan on getting some simple corals in time nothing crazy so i want to make sure my bulbs are the correct lighting for what i am looking for. Maybe a Frogspawn, Zoas, Zenia, Polyps.

Any tips are greatly appreciated

Current bulbs
Dual Actinic 420nm/460nm 65watt
Dual Daylight 6,700K/10,000K 65watt

 

I used to use Current bulbs and sometimes I would buy whatever the LFS had in stock.


luna

 

I'm not familiar with PC generally speaking. I would trust almost anything available on reefgeek.com though just based on my experience with their product lines in other equipment.

Have you considered using a cheaper T5 fixture? PC bulbs really don't last very long so you have to replace them more often. They're also much less efficient with the energy they consume for the amount of light they put out.

 

Hey Screwtape, Thanks for reply i have not thought about another lighting system as i just bought this one for a decent price being on a budget is holding me from doing anything at the moment. However i am really enjoying the PC's for the time being Thank you very much for the input though

 

Hey lunatik thanks for the reply yeah i will end up seeing what my Local Reefer says. Maybe there are some bulbs which have a better rep than others.

 

I buy the Current 460nm actinic bulbs and the Current 10k bulbs. They look good and work well.

 

xmetalfan hey thanks for the reply, Okay so basically what i am using now just buy the same ones. Thanks!

 

PC bulbs need to be changed every 6 months...at best. Unless the bulbs are new I would also buy a new set along with the back up.

 

I use 96W PC's from Coralife on my Coralife PRO fixture (2 x 150W MH). It was my first official reef "fixture"....about 6yrs old. They still serve me & my corals well (or should I say "my corals & myself?).

PC's will also fit in smaller areas because the fixture go all the way down to 18". Got an absolutely bangin' deal on a 250W Geissman pendent. I suspended it over my 90g smack in the middle. I bought 2 18" PC fixtures for each end of the tank for LPS & softies....works great. If thats the only option, then you take it.

 

seabass1 Hey thanks for the reply! Yeah i am working with what i have but i have heard mixed reviews on PCs. I really enjoy them i can see everything in the tank Very well! my tank being long not so deep it brings a whole new tank to me basically. Thanks for the input!