What You Need to Know about Power Compact Lighting
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A power compact aquarium light is a type
of fluorescent fixture that can be used for both freshwater and
saltwater aquarium systems. Compact fluorescent (aka power compact)
aquarium lighting utilizes fluorescent bulbs that are bent in
half. These VHO lamps deliver a higher concentration of light
energy in a smaller space than straight tubes do, although the
light concentration is less than with metal halides. They are
also different from regular fluorescent tubes in that the four
pins are at one end while other fluorescent lights have two pins
on each end. Power compact aquarium lighting is widely used among
hobbyists because it is a low cost, low energy solution. The
acronym PC is commonly used when referring to power compact lights
or bulbs (“PC bulbs,” for instance). Power compacts
are dimmable and available in a wide variety of colors. They
may be used by themselves or in conjunction with metal halide
lighting. Power compact light bulbs should be replaced every
9-12 months. Power compact aquarium lights are great for fish-only
systems and reef tanks with corals that require low-to-moderate
lighting.
Compact Fluorescent Lamp Color Temperature
Reef tanks require half the lighting to be actinic lighting and
half the lighting to be full spectrum daylight lighting. For
the actinics any bulb listed as an actinic--whether it is a True
Actinic, 7,100K Actinic, Actinic or 420nm Actinic--will be adequate.
For the daylight bulb the best bulb for corals is the 10K (aka
10,000K) bulb. 6,700K, 8,800K, 12,000K, 14,000K & 20,000K
bulbs are also fine. In many situations, because you will only
have one row of bulbs, you will to need a 50/50 bulb in order
to be able to spread the actinic and full spectrum daylight lighting
evenly. The 50/50 bulb has one half of a single power compact
bulb actinic and the other side full spectrum daylight. The Current
USA 50/50 bulb is called the SmartPaq.
Freshwater planted tanks usually use the 6,700K,
6,500K or 5,500K bulbs. Fish only tanks can use any light that
makes the fish look good. The fish really don't need much light
to survive--so it is really a matter of aesthetics. Most people
will be happy using 6,700K bulbs, which are very close to daylight,
for fish only tanks. |
