| PowerCompact
Lighting - The Real Story |
Until
recently, metal halide was thought to be the only
effective form of reef lighting. With the
introduction of PowerCompacts in 1992,
professionals and hobbyists began to see
tremendous growth results in many species. Corals
such as Acropora and Montipora, which were once
thought impossible to grow except through the use
of metal halide, were growing at exceptional
rates with PowerCompacts as the sole source of
light. Backed by thousands of documented success
stories world wide, we are extremely confident in
the performance of these lamps. Their unique,
compact design produces a light source that is
twice the output of any comparable lamp. They are
extremely energy efficient and have an average
bulb life of 14-16 months, resulting in a very
cost-effective product. They are single ended
making installation simple, and their low profile
design allows them to be used in small
applications. |
Metal
Halide Lighting - Great, but not for every
application. 
Widely
accepted as the best light source for keeping
stony corals, metal halide lighting has taken the
reef industry to new levels allowing reef keepers
to grow photoreceptive species indefinitely.
Metal halides are high intensity discharge lamps
that produce light from a single point source,
which gives the appearance of shimmering water.
These lamps work well for keeping stony (hard)
corals, but may not be good for every
application. Metal halide lamps and ballasts tend
to operate hotter than acceptable for many
applications and generally require a large canopy
clearance and additional devices to keep them
cool. For many aquarists, these restrictions are
unfavorable and lead them to choose other
alternatives that may work better for their
application. Generally, metal halides are an
excellent choice for unusually deep aquariums or
for larger systems that are well ventilated and
have ample canopy clearance. |
How
do I choose a lighting system?
Aquarium
lighting is one of the the most confusing topics
for many reef enthusiasts. It seems there are as
many opinions as there are animals. We feel it is
important to choose a lighting system that is
known to have worked for thousands of hobbyists
and professionals, but you should also consider
the items listed below before you choose your
lighting system.
1. Aesthetics (Look of the aquarium).
2. Cost (Initial cost, replacement bulb cost, and
cost to operate).
3. Heat (Will a particular fixture be too hot for
your application).
4. Clearance (How much room do I have for a
lighting fixture).
5. What type of aquarium (A fish only aquarium or
a reef aquarium).
6. What type of animals and their particular
light requirements (Hard or soft corals). |
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