Lighting

[RonnieB1089]

I have a 250w HQI with two PC actinic blue lights on my tank. I was wondering what I can do to get my corals to fluoresce more. I see they sell blue, white, purple PC bulbs online. Would I get better results with one blue and one purple bulb. Any info would help. Thanks.

 

[Brian]

For the corals to fluoresce more, you should use the Actinic 03 (420nm) bulb.

Although that 250w HQI could be washing out the PC's. You could try a higher kelvin HQI bulb (12 - 14k) to help out the GLOW.

HTH

 

[harryk]

I think a lot of it is trial and error. I've heard people getting the same spectrum bulb by a different manufacturer and everyting in the tank looked different.

Harry

 

[roadking05]

I think he just need more corals. ;D Stop with the fish already....You have a reef tank.

 

[hayabusa2003]

For power-compacts, the purple-ish bulbs are actually not a true actinic. They are 7100K, which has a broader spectrum and hence more "usuable" light for coral. Actinic-03 is strictly 420-460nm (blue) and will make the coral colors "pop" more, especially after the halides shut off. Since actinic-03 are only a single spectrum, it's more for aesthetics than for coral growth/health.

 

[wobbegong]

I Have Only One Thing To Say ! T5's

 

[Brian]

You can also try the Dual Actinic PC bulbs. Best of both worlds!