Pc Vs Mh?

[Kabong]

If PC's are compared to be 5X brighter then a standard bulb.
Penetrating power aside how does a MH compare against a PC?

If I replaced my 96w PC on my fresh water tank with a 70w MH setup. Is the tank going to be darker, the same, or Brighter?

 

[scooters reef]

70w MH? Never looked or knew they came that small

But, I'd still vote brighter.

 

[dcombs44]

Mh and pc have totally different spectrums. MH is a more natural light, so even though the light is more intense, it may not look as "bright" to the human eye. I would go with a bit more wattage though if you're going to switch. I say at least 175 maybe 250 depending on what you're wanting to keep. If you're not wanting to keep many corals I would say stay with the pc simply for the look of the tank. If you are then go big.

 

[Kabong]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8064573#post8064573 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dcombs44
If you're not wanting to keep many corals

Nah I wasn't planning on keeping many corals in my freshwater tank LOL.
I do keep live plants in it though, But due to its penetrative powers I'm sure the MH would out preform the PC for that aspect.

I'm just talking visual light that we can actually see.

 

[Kabong]

Bump

 

[TKByrnes]

I dont think mh lighting will be needed for freshwater.

 

[Kabong]

Granted the plant life doesn't need the MH, It does fine with the PC.
What it comes down to is trying to lower my power bill.
If i can run a 70w MH in place of the 96w PC that's 26w less.
Not much but every little bit helps

 

[PsychoKnight]

I would think it would take several years of operation to recapture the capital outlay you take on buying a 70w DE HQI MH setup just to save 26watts, especially at 1st tier baseline cost per kilowatt. You'd be better off chaning out two 75 watt household bulbs for 60 watters, and you'd be ahead a whopping 4 watts, saving you $4-6 per year depending on your cost basis and how long your run them daily.