Bulbs

I recently acquired a 36" Coralife 192W Power-Compact Fixture. It contains two bulbs. One is a 10,000k which looks brand new and a 420nm. The 420 appears to be burning out which I knew about before acquiring the fixture. I have two questions:

1) I prefer the 420nm color over the 460nm color; What bulb combo should I go with in this fixture? I want growth and nice coloring so should I get a 50/50 or what? Help!!!! I like a more blue-ish/purple-ish tint but still need something that will make the corals grow.

2) What is the best online site for purchasing bulbs?

Any help/advice would be much appreciated!

I've been getting my bulbs from Foster Smith. They have free shipping over 49.00. I like the 10K and 460, so I can't help a lot with the 420. Don't the 460 help with coral growth more than the 420 though?

Been a while since I had power compacts but I always liked one 50/50 white and blue and the other 50/50 blue/purple.

Originally Posted by rgrking

I've been getting my bulbs from Foster Smith. They have free shipping over 49.00. I like the 10K and 460, so I can't help a lot with the 420. Don't the 460 help with coral growth more than the 420 though?

Maybe I was mis-informed but I always thought 460/actinic was more for show rather than growth? I don't know. Do Foster Smith ship their bulbs properly/safely?

Originally Posted by billrob71

Been a while since I had power compacts but I always liked one 50/50 white and blue and the other 50/50 blue/purple.

I was kind of leaning on this myself in a way. I was thinking a 50/50 white + blue and maybe an 100% 420 but I could always try a 50/50 460/420.

They do ship them very well. I got 6 bulbs from them and no problems.

Good to hear! I will likely use them for my bulb order! Just need to decide on the combo!!

well the power compact light isn't going to last long. With some many changes with our tank situation it is hard for anyone to keep up! Would the suggestion of foster smith still be used for the purchase of metal halide bulbs? More specifically 175W bulbs

Why dont you click through all our sponsors and see who gives you the best prices? Reef-Geeks Sponsors - Reef-Geeks

Originally Posted by chris&barb

Why dont you click through all our sponsors and see who gives you the best prices? Reef-Geeks Sponsors - Reef-Geeks

And tell them you get there link here, some will give a discount and it lets them know people saw them here so they stay sponsors.

Originally Posted by Reef Crazy

Maybe I was mis-informed but I always thought 460/actinic was more for show rather than growth? I don't know. Do Foster Smith ship their bulbs properly/safely?
.

the one time i got a couple bulbs back when, when lfs didn't stock them i did order from drsfoster and laughed! but in a good way, the tubes the bulbs were shipped in prob cost more then the bulbs

the 460's are what puts out higher par. I'm using t5's, and i'd have to look it up to be sure..... but i have 1 bar of true actinic 420 range, and 4 bars blueplus, and 1 aquablue special. I'm pretty sure those 5 put out mostly in the 460 ish range. Our local lighting "Guru" i believe says to give coral lots of both ranges for best growth/ health. But from a lot of setups i've seen, it looks like more of a (example)70% halide, and 30% suplemental actinics, thats if your going by "wattage".
I'll see if i can get KaptKen to elaborate more. I can tell you that i had 3 rows of 10k and 3 rows of 50/50 actinics(420/460) that came in my fixture, ran them for a painful 7 months.... Tird for viewing color, and coral coloration, and a fraction of the growth , and color that i have now.

I will look through the sponsors, for some reason I always forget about them!

I also look forward to hearing from KaptKen!

so did you find anything from our sponsors?