PC Actinic 03 Bulbs

[Marcosreef]

Are these bulbs really "True Actinic" or just another marketing strategy (Purple Colored Bulb)? Do you know who manufactures these bulbs? Are they worth replacing my 28 watt blue PC's? Any info would be appreciated.

 

[Tybond]

I run 8x55w pc's on my 55g reef and recently switched my actinic from the 7100k "blue" bulbs to the Act 03.

I have noticed a difference between the two. The act o3's seem more like an actinic, meaning my corals give off more of a glow but I swear the light comming from the bulb reminds me more of a blacklight bulb. Not dark purple but a hint of it.

I will say they look a whole lot better than those stupid 7100k bulbs because I thought they just turned everything blue and didn't appear to be actinic at all. The new 03's do look a lot better but I wonder myself if they are "true" actinic.
Someone told me they are actually 7200k instead of 7100k but I can't verify this.

TY

[ February 21, 2002: Message edited by: Tybond ]</p>

 

[KanUCme]

I think/know that the 03 bulb is better. My corals grow a lot faster, they open more, the corraline is actually growing, and I like the coloration of the "true actintic" bulbs. I would buy another set in a heartbeat... if only I had the money to do so

 

[Marcosreef]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by MickAv8r:
<strong>If you are using them purely for supplemental lighting they will be okay, if you are counting them as part of the intensity over an aquarium you are likely severely cutting into a lumen budget that is already on the weak side.
</strong><hr></blockquote>

Tom,
I was told that 175 watt 10k MH over my 29 was all I would need. I went ahead and threw in my old 32 watt (28w

) pair of CSL actinics also for supplemental (blue) color. Do you think it will be alright If I use a pair of these new "True Actinics"? I think the tank is plenty bright as is, with out the pair of 28's. (Then again I was also told the tank can never be bright enough).

[ February 22, 2002: Message edited by: Marcosreef ]</p>

 

[Anonymous]

As far as we know they are made by the same manufacturer that makes all of the Chinese PC bulbs.

We have one at the shop, ordered from HelloLights. The bulb IMO is a complete waste of money. They are noticeably dimmer I'll test them with a lux meter to be sure. While the regular PC's are blue, these are lavender in color.

If you are using them purely for supplemental lighting they will be okay, if you are counting them as part of the intensity over an aquarium you are likely severely cutting into a lumen budget that is already on the weak side.

I'll post lux readings when I get a chance.

Ty: color temp is meaningless on a flourescent bulb, it's purely marketing BS NOT any real reading. Actinic is a property of light that causes a chemical change (pretty much applies to ALL bulbs) and "Actinic 03" is nothing but a Phillips catalog number it is a completely meaningless term. The "Actinic 03" bulbs were originally designed NOT for aquarium use but for blueprint photocopying machines. It just so happens they have peaks around 420 nm(the PC bulbs do to) and some extra florescence (the feature most people find lacking in PC Bulbs).

In all reality it means little other than to your own eye. The corals really could give a rip.

[ February 22, 2002: Message edited by: MickAv8r ]</p>

 

[Techy-Mechy]

I looked around at the PC lighting and decided to get the Osram 24W PC's that are supposed to be a 420 nm peak irradiance. I like them and I feel that they are fairly close to my URI VHO actinics. I bought mine at Custom Aquatics:

http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/detailcat.asp?CatID=lt&SubCatID=lt-rpcb

These are the same bulbs that are used on the high end German double ended bulb MH set-ups when they use PC's.

Gotta go and HTH;


Dave

 

[Marcosreef]

^

 

[Anonymous]

It's not gonna hurt - I strongly question if it will help however. Come into the shop and I can show you the two bulbs side by side and you can make your own decision.

 

[Marcosreef]

Thanks Tom, for showing me the difference of the bulbs. As far as intensity is concerned, you lose about half the light compared to the CSL Ultra Actinic. So if you NEED to squeeze every lumen out of your lighting, this is not a good choice. Tom may post the light meter readings, I already forgot what these were, sorry. Either way thanks again Tom.

 

[Anonymous]

I like the color of the 03's from hellolights better than the color of the ultra actinics.

RR

 

[golfish]

I swapped over to the 03 bulbs from Hellolights about 6 months ago. Their not as bright as the blue bulbs but they give the corals the actinic glow you can't get from the blue bulbs.