PC Lights...how deep can I go?

[SaltWaterNewb]

I have two ballasts and end caps for PC lights that I was going to use on a FW planted tank a few years ago but never followed through with the plan. So they have been sitting around collecting dust. Well, I have decided I want to do another SW tank and I am debating on a 20L and a 29. With the 20L I am not too concerned about using PC lights. But the depth of the 29 is 6 inches deeper so I want to check to make sure that these lights will still work. The ballasts I have will allow me to run as many as four 65 watt bulbs. Also, if I go with the 29 gallon I will run it with a DSB so that will take about 5" away from the depth of the water. I am not looking to keep any high light corals, just low and medium light stuff for now and while the PC's are running I can save up for a T5 setup.

 

[melosu58]

I`m thinking you should be able to keep up to medium light corals. PC`s just lack intensity and petatration compared to t5`s.

 

[MT79]

I ran 2x75watt VHO's over a 29 gal and was very happy w/ the results. 4X65w PC over a 29 gal would be a good amount of light. I'd say you could keep all but the most light demanding corals w/ that set up- especially in the top 1/2-1/3rd of the tank. Low-Medium light corals should do fine even towards the bottom.

 

[SaltWaterNewb]

Cool. Just wanted to make sure. Even though I can do a four bulb T5 retro kit for about $200, that money will be better spent elsewhere for the time being and I can get the tank up and running and upgrade the lights later. Thanks for the info.