Bulb change

[pgordemer]

I have a CURRENT USA ORBIT PC with 4 x 96 watt bulbs. I am quite happy with the unit as far as how much light vs heat/power for use over a 90 gallonn tank.

It uses square pin 96 watt bulbs and when I bought it, the stock bulbs are 2 dual daylight 6700/10000 and 2 dual 420/460 actinic.

The colors tend to be yellowish/flat. Might it be better to go with straight 10000 and actinic 420, or some one suggested 3 dual 6700/10000 and 1 460.

From what I see they offer, 6700/10000, 6700, 10000, Actinic 420, Actinic 460, and every combo of a 50/50 builb.

Bulbs are 6 months old, so I have some time.

 

[Phyl]

If it is a PC fixture you really don't have time. Spectrum change happens around 6mo.

I'll be interested in the answer you come up with. I hate our PC lighting color.

 

[Brian]

I would go with the Sunpaq 50/50 actinic (420/460) and the straight 10k. (2 of each)Or maybe even 2 Dual Actinics and 2 50/50 10k/420.

If you're worried about the color looking flat, going with that last color combo you have listed will make it really yellow. IMO the more actinic you can use with PC's the better.

I do think those Sunpaq bulbs are the best PC bulbs out there.

 

[pgordemer]

So far the everyone (in other forums) seems to agree that I should keep the 2 420/460 bulbs, its the white that seems to be in question. Just as many say 10K only, some say 6700/10K

 

[Brian]

Other Forums?! What's up with that?!?!

FWIW When I was running PC's I used the 50/50 Dual Actinic, 50/50 Daylight(10k/67k)and the 50/50(10k/420)all 96w straight pin.

I was really happy with all the colors...

 

[pgordemer]

FWIW When I was running PC's I used the 50/50 Dual Actinic, 50/50 Daylight(10k/67k)and the 50/50(10k/420)all 96w straight pin.

I was really happy with all the colors...

With everyone saying dual I am getting so confused... Does the above mean:

1 Bulb: Actinic 420 and Actinic 460
1 Bulb: 10k and 67K
1 Bulb: 10K and Actinic 420


I can have 4 bulbs all 96 Watt (384 watts)

 

[billyr98]

hey phil... i think i have 2 10k 96w square pin lamps sitting in my basement, if they can help you out, they are yours...

 

[pgordemer]

Love to try them to see how different the tank would look. I could try and replace the dual sunpaks and see what it looks like before I replace them all.

 

[Carlo]

I guess I'd ask what you're trying to accomplish with a light change (besides old bulbs)?

Are you trying to improve coral growth? Do you want a more blue look in the tank? More yellow look, etc.

It's hard to recommend bulbs IMHO unless you know what the person is trying to accomplish. But I think you mentioned the old setup was yellowish looking so I'd take it you want more of a white look.

If that's the case you could try:
2 SmartPaq Daylight 10000°K/Actinic 460nm
2 SunPaq Daylight 10000°K
This would be pretty white with a touch of blue.

For all out coral growth go with 4 10Ks (no actinic)

If you like the blue look a lot and not much corals then:
2 SunPaq Daylight 10000°K
2 SunPaq Dual Actinic 420/460nm

I myself like a mixed spectrum and I've been replacing my PCs with something like:
2 Dual Sunpaq 6700K White/10000K White
2 2 SmartPaq Daylight 10000°K/Actinic 460nm

I like the "blended" look of this combination the best. You have 1/2 the wattage at 10K with 25% both above and below 10K for a more natural looking spectrum. I've added a couple cheap light strips to my reef (10K & 20K halides) using normal 8K fluorescent tubes to get a more natural look without looking too white or blue.

Carlo