Power Compact bulbs color and time

[serhiyi]

Hello all.

I have 4x65 PC bulbs over my 55 gal tank. The fixture has two switches, so I can control 2 bulbs at a time.

There are some options I can buy:
- 10,000k
- 6,700k
- 6,700k/10,000k
- 460nm Actinic/10,000k
- 460nm Actinic
- 460nm Actinic/420mn Actinic
- 420nm Actinic

I can mix then, but I have to use them in pairs to have same color in all parts of the tank.

I'm running 4 bulbs 460nm Actinic/10,000k. 2 bulbs 11am-9pm and 2 bulbs 12pm-10pm.

I have couple of red mushrooms, green star polyp and colony polyp. They are small frags and I want them to grow fast. Also, I want them to look nice (bright color, etc.). Is it possible at the same time?

What is your suggestion in terms off bulb color and when is the best time to turn them on/off?

Thank you.

 

[rickh]

I have 3 PC bulbs. I have been running 2 dual actinic and 1 actinic/daylight for 11/2 years. Everything is doing fine. R

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

Use the combo 6,700k/10,000k with actinic (any actinic, it doesn't matter in terms of growth). That would be the best for providing balanced color and growth. If it were me I would just use the combo 6,700/10,000k because I like the warmer color and good growth, but most people prefer a bluer look.

Daylight cycle-wise, you're doing ok. People typically have the actinic on before and off after the daylight bulbs. However, I think it is just cosmetic and has little or no real effect on the corals. The light sources we use are so artificial already that I highly doubt staggering the light cycle has any real effect. You just need to be sure that the lights are on long enough.

 

[rickh]

There is a lot of BS on these sites about actinic doing nothing. Some people run all actinic. I run 5 of 6 tubes actinic. I have to constantly frag my LPS and leathers. R

 

[serhiyi]

Thanks everyone. Great responses.
I was thinking about spectrum, looks like the best option should be using 6,700k/10,000k plus 460m/420mn Actinic. This way all available spectrum will be delivered.
From written above, 6700/10000 will allow corals to grow faster and 460/420 Actinic would make corals glow.
I'll try that combination next time I change bulbs. I just did not now which bulbs on/off first. But since it will not play big difference, I will just run them for same period of time with about 1 hour shift. This should give my animals time to adapt to the light and all bulbs will be changed at the same time. Plus it will extend light time.

I guess the only thing I'd like to change in my setup is add something to allow polyps and mushrooms glow. This is call for actinic, right?

While reading and looking for info, I finally found answers about color on marinedepot.com
Power Compact Bulbs Information

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

I'm not saying they don't do anything, but just compare the PAR values of actinic and daylight bulbs. Actinics often have 1/3 or less the PAR of decent 10000K bulbs. You just need to make up for the lower useable light output by using more bulbs/wattage.