Actinic Bulbs: VHO vs. PC

[Pelagic1]

I've had good success supplementing with Hamilton 03 PC bulbs in the past, but am considering the URI Super Actinic VHOs on the current setup.
My goal here is to get the fluorescent pigments to "pop", not to simply make the tank appear blue.
Are "Super Actinics" equivalent to "03 Actinics" in this respect?
The tank is 24" deep.

 

[SBJim]

I don't have direct experience, but have been trolling around RC for lighting insight for a while, and the URI VHO superactinics seem to be far and away the favorite for actinic supplementation.

Just about everyone here thinks they are better than any other option (T5, pc or high K MH).

That said, URI has announced that they will be offering a T5 actinic sometime soon. Don't know how that'll be or when available.

 

[marcrothschild]

URI super actinic is not just a blue colored bulb. The effect it has on coral colors is amazing. There is no comparison between a PC 03 actinic and the URI Super Actinic, you will be very happy if you decide to change bulbs...I recently made the switch myself.

 

[chalowolf]

Where can u get the URI super actinics???

 

[Gooli]

www.hellolights.com

 

[chalowolf]

I'm planning on running 2x175W 14ks plus the super actinics. Would this be too much blue???

 

[Gooli]

i ran 14k with vho actinics and thought the blue was too much - washed out a lot of the colors - especially the yellow polyps...i think you'd be much happier with 10K XM + vho

 

[marcrothschild]

Jeffs exotic fish in Gardena stocks them

 

[chalowolf]

Or just run 14Ks without Actinics???
What are the benefits of 10K + Actinics???

 

[marcrothschild]

10K + Actinics= Lots more PAR than 14K....not to mention dawn and dusk effect. VHO actinics for a few hrs after the metal halides turn off is a nice effect, and a cool option to have. Actinics are not needed for healthy corals, but it shure looks sweet. Personally, I like 20K metal halides plus the VHO actinics....I dont like the 10K look.

 

[Pelagic1]

Thanks to everyone for the input, I hope you all had great weekends!

O.K. so the "SuperActinic" bulbs will work great. I allready have PCs, but my new tank is 5ft. and the 60" VHOs seem ideal for even coverage. Cheaper too.

Next question then is hardware. Are the Ice Cap ballasts still the best way to go? Marine Depot sells a complete pkg. w/ bulbs, balasts, endcaps, etc. Any thoughts?

 

[chalowolf]

What is PAR?? Brighter?