I have a 24g JBJ Nanocube and I need to replace the bulbs. The website says that they're "standard 36w straight pin bulbs" so I took that to mean the 16" 36w Coralife bulbs would work. I picked them up yesterday and they're a little bit longer than the bulbs that came with the tank. The 10K fits fine, it doesn't touch the edge of the hood, but the actinic is just a fraction of an inch longer and rests up against the edge of the hood. I need to go exchange it 'cause the bulb is a dud (couldnt' get it to work in either socket while the other bulbs work in both sockets). Is it normal for the actinics to be just a bit longer or did I just get a weird bulb?
The other option is getting the bulb directly from JBJ, but then I'd have to get a blue bulb (7100-7200K) and not an actinic. I've heard that these blue bulbs are not as good for corals as the actinic. So I guess my options are
1. Get the 16" actinic bulb that might rest against the edge of the hood. Better for corals but might cause problems with the hood.
2. Get the blue JBJ bulb. Should fit without touching the hood but won't be as good for my corals.
Any thoughts on what I should do here? Thanks!
The other option is getting the bulb directly from JBJ, but then I'd have to get a blue bulb (7100-7200K) and not an actinic. I've heard that these blue bulbs are not as good for corals as the actinic. So I guess my options are
1. Get the 16" actinic bulb that might rest against the edge of the hood. Better for corals but might cause problems with the hood.
2. Get the blue JBJ bulb. Should fit without touching the hood but won't be as good for my corals.
Any thoughts on what I should do here? Thanks!