"Dave M. Picklyk" wrote in message news:Yzwuc.10568$ig5.5317@edtnps89...
Would 384W of Power Compact lighting (4 X 96W) be enough for nearly "4wpg"
in a 77 gallon tank? (48"x24"x16"). We have about 2 feet of height that this
light has to penetrate strongly. I'm pricing out some retrofit kits that go
from 220watts (4X55) to 440watts (8X55W). I realize that PC lighting is much
more efficient than the more conventional T8 or T12...but I don't know how
it rates in the watts-per-gallon scale. I was thinking of metal halide but
don't like the costs or heat factors.

Thanx for any tips and ideas!!



Dave.


220-330w is more than enough
The heat will be ther same per watt with most MH's as PC's FYI. The
point source heat is different vs the spread out heat from the PC's.

So your light has to be 2 ft above the water's surface?
If so, 2 MH's would be the best alternative for you.

Regards,
Tom Barr