Replacement bulb recommendations?

[vp6799]

I am setting up a 72 Bowfront tank and am looking for some replacement bulbs for the Current power compact fixture that i'm using. It is 4 65W PC bulbs.

I am planning on doing 2 420/460nm 50/50 actinic bulbs

The other 2 are what i'm not sure of...

Should I do:
2 10,000K Daylight bulbs
2 6,700K/10,000K 50/50 bulbs
or
2 12,000K Actinic bulbs

I'm not exactly sure what I will be keeping in there as far as corals go.

Thanks
Vic

 

[CrazyCorals]

imo i think with you spending money on new bulbs you could just look for a used t-5 light and it would probably cost you the same...........

 

[jrmx635]

ditto

 

[vp6799]

I've been watching the for sale section for a while now and haven't seen any 4 bulb T5 fixtures "with" good bulbs for under $200. I can order the 4 new bulbs for $100 shipped. That's why I was going with new PC bulbs.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

 

[tran]

Check out www.fishneedit.com to see anything you may like Vic

 

[stingythingy45]

As for the original question.
2-10,000k Daylight bulbs definitely.

 

[KSC]

On clearance for $1.99 each, I'd run these:
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supply/clearancelighting.html

 

[vp6799]

Is there a preference on the brand? Not many companies make PC bulbs.

Coralife
Aquaticlife
UV Lighting Co.
Current USA

 

[stingythingy45]

I used to get mine from here:

http://www.hellolights.com/65w10000k21straightpinpinbase.aspx

Just make sure you get the right pin base,straight or square.

 

[vp6799]

I used to get mine from here:

http://www.hellolights.com/65w10000k21straightpinpinbase.aspx

Just make sure you get the right pin base,straight or square.

I was actually looking at getting from them also. There's allot of good reviews on them.

 

[vp6799]

Is it ok to go with actinics that only give out 420nm light?? Or should I get the 50/50 420/460nm actinic bulbs??

 

[stingythingy45]

Is it ok to go with actinics that only give out 420nm light?? Or should I get the 50/50 420/460nm actinic bulbs??

The difference would be very little.The biggest difference is with 03 actinic.
That really has a more purple look than the others.

 

[Aquaman_68]

as said above...make sure you match the pin straight or square....

 

[vp6799]

The difference would be very little.The biggest difference is with 03 actinic.
That really has a more purple look than the others.

So the 420nm or 460nm doesn't really matter? Is it just a color difference or does one provide better growth than the other?

 

[vp6799]

as said above...make sure you match the pin straight or square....

I have the square pin. Those seem to be more common than the straight pin.

 

[stingythingy45]

I have the square pin. Those seem to be more common than the straight pin.

My old JBJ Formosa was straight pin and my Current was square.

 

[vp6799]

So the 420nm or 460nm doesn't really matter? Is it just a color difference or does one provide better growth than the other?

Anyone?

 

[beckbrass]

Atinics don't promote growth much so I'd say it's more what you like for looks.

 

[JohnK]

IME hellolights is a good e-tailer, but their "TRU" blubs are really weak (The T5s at least, I haven't tried the PCs)

 

[vp6799]

I was reading a bunch of info after doing a google search. From what I gathered, 420nm is supposed to be for coral growth and health because it gives off most of it's light in the low 415-420nm spectrum and 460nm is more for just giving a blue look because it's higher in the spectrum range (450-460nm).

The 420nm will give more of a purplish look while the 460nm will give a blue look to the tank. If I read and understood everything correctly, then the 420nm sounds like a better choice for coral health. Then I could use some blue led's to add more look if needed.

Does this sound somewhat correct? I want to get the right bulbs the first time.