MH vs. PC

[phishphan]

Is it possible to have healthy SPS corals with only power compacts or is it necessary to have some MH bulbs mixed in?

I'm trying to decide whether to go with a 4X65 watt system plus a 4X55 watt system (already own) or one of the PFO MH hoods that come from premium aquatics.

The PFO Hood comes with 2X250 watt 13k bulbs and 2X96 watt actinic PC's.

What do y'all think?

BTW the cost for the PC system is $265.95 vs. $549.95 for the MH fixture.

Is it worth the extra $$?

Thanks!

[electric130]

i just saw a 120 this weekend that had some gorgeous SPS in it and it was lit by VHO's only. the SPS were purples, blues, greens, reds, etc. it mainly depends on how deep your tank is as to where the SPS will do well.

[phishphan]

The 120 is the standard Oceanic size = 24" deep.

Is this too deep for the SPS?

I will probably put them a little higher up on the rocks.

[hmpit_ags2006]

Go with halides otherwise you will regret it later down the road.
I bought pc's and am kicking myself cause I did not spend a little more and get the mh. HTH

Glenn

[electric130]

Originally posted by phishphan
The 120 is the standard Oceanic size = 24" deep.

Is this too deep for the SPS?

I will probably put them a little higher up on the rocks. don't get me wrong. i love MH's and i personally run dual 250's on my 90, but SPS under only VHO's can definitely be done. the SPS i saw, were in the top half of the tank. the lower half was softies. you just don't get the color vibrance with MH's that you do with VHO's.