How much light can I get from this VHO tube?

[Pszemol]

How much more light can I get from a 3'/95W VHO?
Let's say, in comparison to the 3'/96W PC tubes?

I have read "VHO vs. PC" thread, and all of you guys are against PC.
I have compared prices for bulbs and 3'/95W VHO I can get around $20 while 3'96W PC costs around $40-45. Ballasts for VHOs, I assume, are cheaper also... So what's the deal?

If VHO is so much better, brighter and cheaper - why would ANYBODY buy PC? Companies making PC should go broke in the notime... but they dont! What benefits of PC am I missing in that picture?

I am asking with a reason: I am going to upgrage my lights.
I have 30g FOWLR and I have CustomSeaLife 1x96W PC (Smart Lamp).
I do not want to go with MH yet, so the VHO would be an option...

Please, convince me VHO is better and cheaper than PC

[dattack]

Why do you want to upgrade your lights when you have fish only?

Is it going to be a reef?

Anyways, VHO ballasts are not cheap. They sell online from $100-$150.

PCs do seem brighter than VHO given that the light is concentrated in a "compact" tube while the VHO's are spread through the length of the tube.

However, VHO actinics IMO do a much better job in terms of fluorescence that the PC true actinics.

The cheapest alternative for VHOs are probably to use a Workhorse 7 ballast to run 2 VHO tubes (96 Watts each). It cost around $35.

For PCs, I tried some HD ballast and they do work but it's actually cost a only a fraction less if you buy it online.

But since you are comparing prices for VHO's/PC, I would like to add that you can add a MH for about the same price or a few dollars more.

http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2/...gory_Code=ICMH