420 nm or 460 nm

[Scruffys Catch]

I need to replace my Actinics. I have found bulbs in 420 nm and 460 nm. Which is better and what is the difference?

[Wiskey]

Lol,.. I answered in the stooge thread

The ones that are labeled "True" or "03" atinic are very purple and I don't like them. (this is the 420NM bulb)

The ones labled "Atinic blue", are the ones I use,... there a brigher blue, and they put out nearly double the light of the "True" atinic bulbs. (This is the one you want, the 460NM)


Edit,.. Alright I looked it up and put the NM ratings for both in there.

Whiskey

[Loverotties]

The difference is 40nm.

[Elegance Coral]

Wiskey is right, but I actually prefer the 420. True actinic 03. I rely on MH for my power lighting and the actinic for color. The actinic 03 may not put out as much light but the color is unreal. They will make your corals glow.

[Elegance Coral]

Originally Posted by Loverotties

The difference is 40nm.

[DarthOcellaris]

good thread.

I'm trying to decide also what color to go with next too.

[Doug1]

Look at both and see which one you like, remember that the wave length and appearence to the individual eye will vary as different eyes and brains process the lights appearence differently. IME the actinics while somewhat usefull in growth are more apt to cause colors to pop in coral pigmentation where as a strong light source (hi PAR) in the 6500K range, like the Iwasaki 6500K provides major growth because its PAR is in a zone that the coral can use.
Think about Kelvin Ratings, the Iawaski 6500K is poo pooed by many unless heavily supplemented with actinic , in shallow tank water it shows up as yellowish, while hobbiest have been brainwashed into thinking that bulbs that "Simulate" the color of light at various depths are the way to go.
Yah it looks pretty to see glow in the dark coral, but the few times I dove a reef I didn't get that effect from wild coral

[Scruffys Catch]

Thanks everyone.