3 PC's or 10 NO's?

[beviking]

I'm looking into a 92gal corner tank. Not the easiest to light up for plants. I'm DIY-ing the hood so I can either go with 10 24" NO bulbs or 3 55PC's. The only reason I'm debating (10 bulbs! Am I nuts! ) is that I already have the ballast to power the NO bulbs so the cost would be for bulbs only. So it's either $170 for the ease of PC or $100 for an insane number of NO bulbs (but the combination possibilities are endless....!).
This is a serious question (though I THINK I already have my mind made up) and I thought you all might enjoy it.

Bill

 

[kamla]

i would go with the PC's ... why ?? well they will take up less space...
also when you need to replace blubs..
with PC you have 2 replace 3 blubs after a year or so..
with NO you will need to replace 10 blubs after about 8 months or so..

you could use the saved space for a DIY fan to cool your lights...
That you have another DIY project...

 

[djlen]

Bill - you will save back the difference in bulb replacement with the PCs. That's the way I'd go if I were in your position.
Much more efficient and better light all around.

Len

 

[Blinky]

I'll third that, I'd go with PCs. Less space, more light per watt, and they don't need to be replaced nearly as often. If you can find GE 9325K bulbs, I think they're a really nice colour and my plants seem to love them.

 

[Timmain42]

Skip the NOFs... I just learned the hard way that they don't have nearly enough penetration power, deep into the tank. Go PCs!

 

[beviking]

Thanks for the replies and reaffirming my thoughts.

BTW Len, I do have pics of my tank with those beautiful plants you sent, just haven't uploaded them yet.