Need a magical Fishdaddy or "Reefaholic" link/info!

[balakoth]

Well, now they've done it.

Weekly I visit this Local saltwater/reef store who does local maintence and portions of our Public Aquarium here in Seattle.

Not sure if they are the same company but I know of a few down in california with the same name "Aquarium Concepts".

Anyways, 6 months now and I still havent figured out this whole stupid Actinic thing. While I whole heartily respect the reefers here on the board, I really got thrown for a loop today during my visit.

While we were discussing Actinic bulbs, wattage and various other things, I brought up the notion that I was going to buy the new Corallife 55 watt PCs. He said "we just ordered those ourselves to see how they look compared to VHOs"

The 3 people that i know that work there, have PCs on their smaller tanks VHOs on their larger tanks (I have taken a visit to one of the more respectable workers homes to see his 125). Now heres the big thumper.

He said and i QUOTE: "URI VHO Bulbs are not TRUE Actinic spectrum." I kind of gave him a wierd look and glanced at the CSL bulbs (Those oh so wierd looking blue things) He proceeded to say and I QUOTE: "The CSL Ultra Actinics are true to the actinic blue spectrum".

This is the second person at a different store who has made this formentioned "fact". So now, instead of going out and buying the new Corallife bulbs, im seriously doubting everything I know about Bulb Colors, Nanometers, Spectrums, Wattages and what have you.

Can ANYONE please direct me to a link that gives TRUE (Yes I know thats hard) technical information about Actinic and its spectrum and possibly its comparision with other bulbs? Id like to fill in my 2 missing ballasts sometime soon! But I just cant seem to get my information straight.

The Corallifes from what ive heard seem to be more on the purple side of the spectrum and again he said "The Corallifes are pretty much on the level of trying to imitate the URI Actinic Bulb, but that is not true actinic"

Please oh PLease help. I thought I was going to have fun at the Fish Store on saturday buying some new bulbs and possibly a small Derasa!!

I dont want to try that nifty little clam without the proper actinic supplements. Any and ALL information is appreciated. How can we truely know that URI bulbs are Actinic? If the outputs from both bulbs readin the same nanometer reading, arent they concidered identical no matter the color of the light?

Sorry for the long post, I cant find anything on any board that coincides with what these people are telling me. Not only that but I have read at least 300 accounts of people swearing up and down URIs are True actinic and the CSL bulbs arent.

I need some darn Proof now I suppose!

Thanks - Joe



Thought I would add for info sake (Cuz we know how Prone companys are to talk up their products) That nowhere on any of their tanks do they use PC bulbs, all their Softy LPS and SPS tanks either run off the Icecap ballasts or MHs with VHO suppmentation. Even the store owners personal tank which is in the store.

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Hi Joe! I know how frustrating lighting is and getting the proper set-up for your tank! I have heard that PC actinics were not true actinics as well but have not done any research to back this up! Here is a link about lighting and maybe it will help. Johnny

http://www.marineandreef.com/Info/infolighting.html

[balakoth]

Thanks for the Link Johnny. The problem here is this exact information. It gives me Kelvin ratings saying this is typical Actinic temps and blah blah blah. CSL Bulbs Ultra Actinics are 7100k, yet they arent true actinic? URI Bulbs are what kelvin raiting if anyone knows?

Also they explained that the deeper the water, the bluer the spectrum filtering out the red. So HOW in the world does a URI hold true for a true actinic if it doesnt even appear to be in the same color spectrum.

Does anyone know much about Nano meter readings? If the CSL (Apparently not true actinic) bulb peaks in the correct range, how is it not being effective.

Fill me with knowledge oh Reef Tank Gurus!

heh.

Joe

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Hey Joe! I have another link that may help you find some answers you are seeking if you have not visited this board before.

http://www.reefaquariumguide.com/for...&threadid=2254

Joe do me a favor ok? Don't give up bugging me and I won't give up trying to find what you want! Ok! Johnny

[FishDaddy]

Hey Joe,
If you ask 5 people the same lighting question, you'll get 5 different answers! I have used Corallife and URI VHO actinics. I prefer URI and that's what I buy. In "straw polls" I've seen in the past on various boards, the consensus among internet reefers seems to be that URI is the bulb of choice.

As to the specific data you're after, I'm not sure an exact comparison exists but here's a site with possibilities:
http://www.thekrib.com/Lights/index.html

Dick

[Doug1]

Color temp in Kelvins is basically meaningless when it comes to the "actinic" bulbs. Look more at the color spectrum in nanometers, actincs should be strong around 420nm with a few other peaks.
I would avoid listening to any one that says URI actinics arent true actinic and that whatever PC bulb they are promoting is. They must get a good price on them. The URI's have been used for years now with good results, whereas it appears the PC bulbs have recently been introduced in 96w version that is weighted to the 420 nm spectrum.
\I think the fact that they use other lighting at the store speaks volumes
FWIW a tridacnid clam will do fine under 6500K MH with otr without actinic

[balakoth]

Guys, Thanks again for the great responses. I have some updated info.

I went back to the fishstore (They had my Jawfish there! I couldnt bring myself to fork out the 150 bucks tho) and talked with him some more on lighting and what not.

He proceeded to reword what he had said about the VHO Actinics (They use URI bulbs). Anyways, he pointed out why he liked VHO and then why he liked PCs, and as far as he was concerned it was an opinion based on visual appearance as well correct bulb combinations. (I still think the CSL Actinics suck)

I was still confused, mostly because the CSL bulbs were blue to the sight and VHO ended up being purple after passing through the phospherous (sp). That in turn started the ball rolling on what I think was the coolest thing a Fish store has done for me yet.

I was curious about the glow you guys were talking about and what exactly I was trying to achieve with my lights. So he took me over to the owners 150 corner tank, turned off the 400 Watt Halide and just let the 4 24" URI Actinics run. The result was a nonexistant purple/blue color save for the corals and inverts that glowed like the moon and lit up (Almost like a black light). To say the least I was very impressed with how it looked.

He then opened up a brand new CSL Ultra Actinic 96 watt and stuck it over the same tank. What stood before me was a Massively bright BLUE Tank, very visible blue light and slight color enhancing of the corals. Probably not as much so as the VHOs mainly because the blue light was engulfing the display.

This sold me instantly. So now I wait for their shipment of the new Corallife Actinic 03s to arrive. Which apparently are very comparable to the VHOs in wavelength and look. (Faint Faint purple with Super Enhanced Coral and invert color).

Basically I now know the look I want to achieve and which bulb to use for my PCs. With those links and little deduction, it seems like CSL just hasnt gotten their Peak levels right. (CSL Actinics peak at 480nm, Optimum being 420) which leaves me to believe that Panasonic / Corallife have just gotten it right before the Aquatic PC hype starters (Custom Sea Life).

I heard a debate that the PC bulbs couldnt imitate the phospherous that is in VHO bulbs. Which seems like hog wash to me, as it has to be more than just the phospherous that controls what kelvin and wavelength that the light becomes visible.

Or I may be wrong. Anyone have some technical insight on how Flourecents or POwer Compacts for that matter work? Might have been in those links but I havent sat down and read through it all yet.

So I will wait paitently for the new Corallife bulbs to come in, and maybe get some pics out there. LIfe would seem grand for us PC Users if someone has finally gotten it right no?

I assume as long as I am within the acceptable wavelength 420-450 that the purpose of the actinics (to provide more of a blue spectrum to simulate depth) would still hold true.

Another Long Post by the Rambler! Yeah. Thanks again guys youve been great as always.


- Joe

[Doug1]

I will violate my no slam rule and tell you what Corallife bulbs are called in the hobby( coraldeath) I have used both the Corallife and URI actinics and they both flouresce, but the URI last longer on my ballast for less $$$$$$$$$$$$

URI makes great VHO, for PC get CUSTOM SEALIFE PC. they have a NEW TRUE ACTINIC bulb out recently that is much better. IME It is best to use a combination of lighting for best results, not relying on one source. I still use NO floro actinics as they have a great "flourescene effect" on coral tissues.
Lighting can be debated till we are blue ( pun intended) in the face,,,,, fact of the mater is ywe need to replicate sunlight. period.

[balakoth]

I can understand your slam Doug, but maybe what Im not makin clear is that I dont use VHO I use PC. Im simply looking for that same affect. Whats the big beef with Corallife? I mean if theres some legitement reason why they suck butt. Let me know please!!

Dave. When did Custom Sea life come out with these "new" bulbs. None of the local fish stores have heard of them nor has hellolights. What they sell are sold as "Panasonic 03s" when they are acctually Corallife Actinics.

[FishDaddy]

Hey Joe,
Premium Aquatics has the "True Actinic PC's"
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...y_Code=PCbulbs
Dick

[balakoth]

Fishdaddy, been lookin at those too. But how the heck am I suppose to find out what brand they are? I mean id rather drive 5 mins away and buy them rather than wait a few weeks through mail order while paying shipping too.

Have any of the other TRT members bought their new True Actinics from Hellolights or Premium Aquatics? If so Id love to know what brand of Bulb you recieved. Whats up with these sites and not telling you their brand name? phfft.

Im starting to think there is only one out there right now which is Corallife, but im sure I could be wrong.

- Joe


Last edited by balakoth on 06-01-2002 at 12:17 PM

[Doug1]

I cant help you on PC lights, I use VHO
All "blue " lights arent the same, the color is fairly meaningless, its the wavelength that counts. On the other hand if you can't ID mfgr and get info its very frustrating t hen again most day/act combos work well enuff for most corals so I really wouldnt stress on it.
Considering the light intensity levels on real reefs most reef lighting is compromise anyway
BTW my slam on Corallife was not called for, in my exp their bulbs dont last as long as the URI, and in all fairness, I have not the sophisticated equipment to measure output and spectrum shift.
I use the balast and bulb combo that I do cause it works for me and a whole lot of other people, but I respect the limitations, and thats why I am adding 6500K Iwasaki MH to the new version of my reef , FWIW

[FishDaddy]

Originally posted by balakoth
Fishdaddy, been lookin at those too. But how the heck am I suppose to find out what brand they are?

Joe,
Give Jason or Melissa at PA a call or e-mail. They are very knowlegeable and always glad to answer questions whether you buy from them or not.

Dick