[SALT ONE]

Power Compact 4x96 watt w/ 2 external ballasts..is this good for a 75 gallon reef tank? and how long do the power compact bulbs last for? the lights only two months old

and the play sand thats on here what color is that white or brown!

[Neal359]

it depend on what typ of coral you are trying to keep mushromes lether and soft coral would be ok also thinks like hamer torch and bubble would be ok also i have them under 2*110 vho and 2 no light for extra antic and everything is doing very well

[djheywood]

That lighting is more than enough to keep mushrooms, polyps, soft corals, and IMO all LPS corals and some SPS corals like montipora and some acropora.

I keep softies, LPS and 2 acropora and 2 montipora species under 2 X 55 watt PC's.

If you want a mostly SPS and/or clam tank I would go with MH. If you are getting these lights as a good deal I would get them. you could always add 1 MH later to the tank.

Good luck.

[SALT ONE]

ok, what about the bulb life on the power compact?
and the play sand whats the color?

[djheywood]

It is widely disagreed upon, but I have heard power compact bulbs lasting anywhere from 6 to 18 months. They will generally start putting out less intensity, but you will not even notice. I change mine around 9 months. (Lampsnow.com is a great place to get the replacement PC bulbs).

As for the Southdown playsand, I have it but I can't tell you if it is white or tan. I know it needs to say, "From the carribean" on the package. It has a kid with a little shovel on the package, or it could be in a yardright package. (Same stuff, packaged differently)

Good luck