Wondering about my actinics

[Gmandese]

Yes, I'm doing a lot of wondering tonight. Maybe I'm just tired from today's "reef rounds", magnified by some beers....but I digress......
I have in my light, a dual spectrum actinic bulb, 420/460nm, 65wpc. It seems that it's a lot brighter than my nano, with a straight 03 phosphor actinic lighting. That's because it has a lighter blue side to the bulb, and seems that it doesn't show off the colors the way the straight 420 in the small tank does. This bulb is pretty new, it came with the light, but I much prefer the look with the straight darker bulb. The light also came with a dual daylight 6,500k/10,000k, but I am using a 10,000k instead.
Is there a good reason for using this bulb? I know during the daylight, it would give the widest spectrum with my 10,000k, but in the evening?
I'm considering selling both dual bulbs (about a month's use), and getting a single dark true actinic.

Any ideas? Suggestions?

 

[joe]

sorry cant help. but im pming you rite now

 

[Gmandese]

I guess what I'm asking is there a benefit to trading my current lighter blue bulb for a darker, deeper purple one, other than just looks? Or keeping it?

 

[nanoreefer22]

Gerry,
Trading out the present bulbs for an actinic bulb would probably help you get the coral to flouresce at night or when the actinic is on.

Benefits I'm no sure of.

Are the 2 bulbs on different switches?
-Kris

 

[Gmandese]

Yes, the daylight and the actinic are on separate switches.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

the darker blue will make the corals stand out alot. they pretty much look very vibrant you can say. thats one benefit. what kind of tank, lighting Watts, corals you have. just curious.

 

[Gmandese]

46g bow, 2x65wpc, 1-10,000k, and 1-420/460nm actinic.
Mostly lps, like zoas, mushrooms, GSP, Kenya Trees, anthelia, frogspawn (2 kinds), sponges, and a pagoda cup coral. I also have 2 pcs of bird's nest coral, and a frag of picillapora. Those are doing well, too. Oh, and a purple tipped long tentacled anemone too, and another green unidentified one, that looked like a hairy mushroom, but isn't.

 

[Gmandese]

So, if I want to get a deeper bulb, does anyone know where LOCALLY I can pick one up for a reasonable price? I don't want to web buy.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

what size is the bulb and that kind of bulb is it. pc,flourec. etc.....

 

[Gmandese]

65w PC bulb, square pin like this :: 22" long, I need True actinic, 03 phosphor, peak at 420nm