Metal Halide vs. Power Compact

[Work In Progress]

Will some enlightened individual, please explain the pros and cons of these 2 types of lighting. Is one better than the other? etc etc....
I didn't do a search this time, so if it has been posted before, I'm sorry.

Kelly

[GulfCoastAquarian]

Metal Halide is expensive initially but is especially helpful for deep tanks. Your best bet for your 55g is a set of 55w Power Compacts to add to the light you already have.

[Work In Progress]

I was thinking about a couple of these to hold until my next phase in lighting upgrades.
http://www.doityourself.com/store/2472132.htm


But I also just found these at Home Depot
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS...ductOID=141886
They are on page 2
2-Light 4' Commercial Strip Light
Brand: Cooper Lighting
SKU #149470
$17.29
each

So should I go with the cheaper ones? They both take the same size bulbs and have equal wattage output, so I guess they are both the same. The 3 advantages I can see to the Home Depot ones are that they are about 2" slimmer in width , so I would have 4 extra inches of space on top of the tank, and of course the price difference, plus no shipping.
So, what do yall think?

Appreciate all comments
Kelly

Ha Ha, seems like after previewing this post, there really is no decision to make......I am thinking umm Home Depot,

[geekgirl]

I was looking at this same fixture at HD. Another advantage is the HD fixture is about 1" shorter. So it would fit better inside a canopy if you choose to make one later. You can drill a little hole in the side for the pull chain. The DIY store fixture is 49-1/2", so that would overhang your tank resting on top by about 1/2" on either side. Appearances...

Besides, if you have problems you can always return the HD lights.

Stacey

[GulfCoastAquarian]

If it is just going to be a temporary thing, just get the cheap $10 shop light fixtures. I've used them everywhere (in my garage, workshop, reef refugium as well as supplementing my PC's on my 55g). For $20, I'd rather get a Workhorse 5 ballast and build my own canopy. My sister just put this setup together on her 55g and it looks awesome.

[Doomer]

I've got MH's over my 250 gal. They were actually cheaper than PC's per watt. They make the tank look much nicer than PC's due to the shimmering affect of the surface reflection on the bottom (not sure if that makes sense).

I initially thought that they run much hotter than PC's but found the opposite to be true. The 4 55w PC's over my 75 gal. put out a lot more heat than the MH's do.

Next time I'm in the market for more lights I'll defiantly go with the MH's.