Best Lights for a Coralife Fixture?

[puffanatic]

I have a Coralife Fixture that currently has (2) 10,000K Daylight and (2) True Actinic 03 Blue Compact Flourescent lamps in them. They are getting old and you can tell that the light is a lot dimmer than it used to be. Whenever I go to pet stores it always seems like the colors of those fish are so much more vibrant than my fish. What should I put in my Coralife Fixture that would showcase the fishes colors the best? I don't have any corals and was wondering what color temperature would work the best.

 

[jceli728]

If I was you I would replace the PC unit with a T5 unit.

 

[ds4x4]

T5's are the best replacement Fluorescent wise.. Coralife does not have a retro kit for the aqualights.. best bet is to look online or in store for new PC's 10K and Actinic.. I got 3 from Foster/smith for $21 a pop +shipping when they had a two week sale

 

[magic]

Instead of the 10K I would go with a 50/50 bulb and a dual actinic.

Bob

 

[reefsandrotts]

I agree with jceli to go t-5 if you can, if not I agree with magic and go 50/50.

 

[puffanatic]

It looks like the 96 Watt CF's bulbs are about $45 each..Instead of spending $180 on bulbs should I put that toward a T5 light fixture? What about MH? I like the shimmer effect and whenever I see these in Pet stores they seem to showcase the colors the best. Are T5's the best look for the money?

 

[redfishbluefish]

Just switched out a 4 bulb Coralife compact unit with an IceCap T5 unit. It’s like we put in all new corals. Everything is popping out with vibrate color that just wasn’t there under the Coralife.

My obvious suggestion, go for T5’s.