Daylight vs actinic bulbs???

unwired · 02-17-2008, 01:16 AM

Quick question.

My 4ft 75G tank has way too little light for my corals. I'm currtnely using a Current USA 130W setup (both 65W daylight I believe).

I'm thinking of upgrading to a 4 bulb 260W setup. Should I get the 2 actinics or do I go with four daylights?

I don't really care much about having blue lights on at night but I do want the corals to get whatever lighting they need. I suppose my questions is really do the actinics put out the full power at only the correct wavelength or am i just better off with daylight bulbs which include that spectrum anyhow?

Thanks,
Ken

Killerdrgn · 02-17-2008, 05:20 AM

if you just want light and no blue then get 10,000k bulbs. And you should really invest in a T-5 setup instead of another Power Compact fixture.

JLAudio · 02-17-2008, 11:59 AM

ddefinitly get some actinics, it will look a much better and really bring out all the colors on fish and corals

**nanoreefer22** · 02-17-2008, 12:17 PM

I'm with Killer, instead of investing in another, larger, power compact setup, look into T-5's.

unwired · 02-17-2008, 01:17 PM

Is that based on quality of the light itself or cost of bulbs?

So far I've found
*Power compact units at 260W
*T6 unit at 216W (extra 54W – 12000K, Actinics at $6.00/ea)
*T5 unit at 216W

all at relatively the same prices.

decisions decisions...

Killerdrgn · 02-17-2008, 02:48 PM

T5's put more Par per wattage than PC's and T6. just get the T5 and make sure they have individual reflectors.

NYreefNoob · 02-17-2008, 03:31 PM

go with the 6 bulb config though. and what type of corals do you have ?

unwired · 02-17-2008, 11:23 PM

The coral that's been suffering the most is the Sin. He perks up from time to time but seems to be suffering/droopy over all. Other corals include on Brain (which is also kind of sad looking) two frog spawns. (doing real nicely) a toadstool, cabbage, a few some rics and some zoos. I also have two kenya tree frags and a colt coral frag all pretty high up and doing OK.

I've have to look into the individual reflector thing. I think the units I've been looking at are on the cheaper end of things.

Thanks.

Killerdrgn · 02-17-2008, 11:38 PM

get something like this if it's in your budget

http://www.carolinareefs.com/index.p...5&currency=USD

02-17-2008, 01:16 AM	#1
unwired Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rockland Co. Posts: 38 Reefer Ratings: (4) Friends: (0)	Daylight vs actinic bulbs??? Quick question. My 4ft 75G tank has way too little light for my corals. I'm currtnely using a Current USA 130W setup (both 65W daylight I believe). I'm thinking of upgrading to a 4 bulb 260W setup. Should I get the 2 actinics or do I go with four daylights? I don't really care much about having blue lights on at night but I do want the corals to get whatever lighting they need. I suppose my questions is really do the actinics put out the full power at only the correct wavelength or am i just better off with daylight bulbs which include that spectrum anyhow? Thanks, Ken

02-17-2008, 12:17 PM	#4
nanoreefer22 YoYa Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Park Slope, Brooklyn Posts: 10,031 Reefer Ratings: (75) Friends: (19)	I'm with Killer, instead of investing in another, larger, power compact setup, look into T-5's. __________________ Kris MR Team

02-17-2008, 03:31 PM	#7
NYreefNoob Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: peekskill,ny Posts: 4,753 Reefer Ratings: (40) Friends: (24)	go with the 6 bulb config though. and what type of corals do you have ? __________________ my dad alway's told me the only stupid question's are the one's not asked

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02-17-2008, 05:20 AM	#2
Killerdrgn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Forest Hills Posts: 1,400 Reefer Ratings: (10) Friends: (5)	if you just want light and no blue then get 10,000k bulbs. And you should really invest in a T-5 setup instead of another Power Compact fixture.

02-17-2008, 11:59 AM	#3
JLAudio Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Flushing Posts: 1,227 Reefer Ratings: (19) Friends: (1)	ddefinitly get some actinics, it will look a much better and really bring out all the colors on fish and corals

02-17-2008, 01:17 PM	#5
unwired Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rockland Co. Posts: 38 Reefer Ratings: (4) Friends: (0)	Is that based on quality of the light itself or cost of bulbs? So far I've found Power compact units at 260W T6 unit at 216W (extra 54W – 12000K, Actinics at $6.00/ea) *T5 unit at 216W all at relatively the same prices. decisions decisions...

02-17-2008, 11:23 PM	#8
unwired Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rockland Co. Posts: 38 Reefer Ratings: (4) Friends: (0)	The coral that's been suffering the most is the Sin. He perks up from time to time but seems to be suffering/droopy over all. Other corals include on Brain (which is also kind of sad looking) two frog spawns. (doing real nicely) a toadstool, cabbage, a few some rics and some zoos. I also have two kenya tree frags and a colt coral frag all pretty high up and doing OK. I've have to look into the individual reflector thing. I think the units I've been looking at are on the cheaper end of things. Thanks.

02-17-2008, 11:38 PM	#9
Killerdrgn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Forest Hills Posts: 1,400 Reefer Ratings: (10) Friends: (5)	get something like this if it's in your budget http://www.carolinareefs.com/index.p...5&currency=USD