power compact vs. t5 or LED

frostyjay1

frostyjay1

Active member
Hi group. I'm very new to saltwater in general. i currently have a 20gal FOWLR tank and am getting ready to move it to a 46 gal bowfront. i want to start a reef tank. i have a power compact light now and was wondering if that would work for the reef tank or if i need to upgrade it to something else. looking for the input of pros so please dont make me feel stupid for asking.
 
Generally speaking, the pc's will let you keep softies and some lps. I started my first reef tank with the pc's I used on my fowlr. But here's the thing, once you start reefin' you'll undoubtedly get hooked and want to buy more types of coral which will will need more light. My advice is to start with a good light from the beginning. What you want to avoid is buying something and then needing to upgrade and buy something better that's why we need to know what coral you want to have.

Oh yeah, welcome to CR !!
 
most likely a variety. at this point I really dont know too much. the ones catching my eye are all soft for now.
 
You'll want fresh bulbs. The wattage should be printed on the bulb itself. How long are the bulbs/fixture?
 
Try and upgrade to t5's, pc's run real hot as well, but agree with what etr said
 
48" fixture it has 4 bulbs 2 actinic and 2 flourescent on spereate switches its made by jebo. 55watts per bulb
 
That would be fine for softies and most lps. You might even get lucky with a hardy monti cap up high, but no acro's. You need new bulbs. You will start noticing a drop in light output and color temp around 6 months, by 8 or 9 months they are dramatically dimmer and yellower so you will need to replace them at least yearly, or sooner, say every 10-12 months.
 
In my opinion u should get the best lights that u can afford.. Knwing this hobby, the more and more beautiful and awesome things u see the more u get the urge to go buy them/want them.. To save money and hassle of constant upgrading.. I suggest saving up for an awesome/best t5 or led fixture which can grow anything that u currently want and may want in the future..

Examples:

Prestigeled.com has a fixture which is a combo of both t5 and led

Rapidled.com can provide u everything u need to make a diy fixture

Coralcompulsion.com
Has awesome PAR 38 bulbs( are like the metal halides of leds)
Also sells dimmable led fixtures

Teklight light t5 fixtures best t5 lighting i knw..
 
i ended up with a 6 bulb t5 ho. now i need help on where to find bulbs for the light spectrum i want. i'm looking for green and purple. i can find the blue and white locally.
 
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