Metal Halide vs Power Compact

[JockoBailey]

I'm setting up a 100g planted FW tank and I'm looking at lighting options.
It will be C02 injected and I will need about 400w of light. I've seen
fixtures with 4 96w PC and an assortment of metal halide fixtures and a
mixture of both. Questions are: fixture/balast cost, bulb cost, bulb life,
light quality etc.


Thanks

Jocko

[Nick Wise]

FWIW, I like MH. It seems to really punch the light better into deep
tanks. I also think it makes a tank look more natural by causing
shadows and highlights that flourescents do not. Other than that, both
will do a great job growing plants. As for the ballasts, I got mine
free, so I can't judge!